Mercedes teams up with INEOS to supply 5,000 PPE face masks

Mercedes is working with Formula 1 team partner INEOS to manufacture at least 5,000 PPE face shields for local hospitals around the team base.

Using 3D printers and sailmakers, INEOS along with support from Mercedes-Benz Applied Sciences are already making over 100 PPE face shields per day from its Portsmouth base and supplying them for free to hospitals and ‘red zone’ surgeries in its local area.

INEOS aims to supply over 5,000 PPE face shields and remains available to meet continued demand if it arises during the coronavirus crisis.

“The entire INEOS family feels it is everyone’s responsibility to be hands on in this crisis by deploying resource and expertise to support the frontline where best we can,” Sir Ben Ainslie, INEOS UK Skipper and team principal, said. “The work INEOS, for example, are doing in producing millions of bottles of hand sanitisers across Europe and distributing them free-of-charge to frontline staff has been inspiring to see.

“We have a lot of expertise in manufacturing and production and we therefore felt the best way for us to support was the production of PPE face shields which will go direct, free-of-charge, to frontline staff in the team’s local area.

“Our partnership with Mercedes-Benz Applied Science has been fantastic in enabling us to increase our production of these face shields and I wanted to extend my deepest thanks to them for all their invaluable support.”

Mercedes is already producing CPAP medical breathing aids, manufacturing 1,000 devices per day to meet the 10,000 ordered by the UK government, from its Brixworth engine factory using machines which normally make F1 pistons and turbochargers.

It comes as part of the wider F1 Project Pitlane set up to utilise the sport’s engineering and manufacturing resources to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.