ATS unit partners Chinese firm to produce tooling parts
KUALA LUMPUR: AT Systematization Bhd (ATS) has teamed up with a Chinese firm to produce high-precision tooling parts for melt-blown non-woven fabric mask-making machines.
ATS said its unit, AT Precision Tooling Sdn Bhd, had signed a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai JieNaXin Mech & Elec Equipment Co Ltd (JNX) to produce the tooling parts known as spinnerets.
A spinneret is a device used to extrude a polymer solution or polymer melt to form fibres (the process is known as melt-blown process).
The fibres are used as part of the key ingredient of the middle layer of a three-ply surgical mask. It is the main filter that prevents viruses from entering the respiratory system.
ATS told Bursa Malaysia yesterday JNX would be responsible for evaluating and proposing the design of different types of the spinneret, as well as research and development for the localisation of the spinneret.
ATS will make available its manufacturing facilities for spinneret production.
ATS managing director Choong Lee Aun said in a statement it expected the world to be more hygiene-conscious in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This would result in a huge demand for three-ply face masks.
“The vaccine solution for Covid-19 may take a few years to develop.
“On March 20, our government stopped all exports of surgical masks (before setting) the ceiling price for three-ply surgical masks at RM1.50 per unit, up from 80 sen previously.
“This move comes amid a shortage in face masks in the country. The price increase is due to a higher production cost,” said Choong.
He added that the company had identified the shortage of spinnerets worldwide as the root cause of this.
“Our group will produce and market spinnerets in Asia and help ease the current shortage,” he added.