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It was one of the first findings when the explosive nature of the corona wave became clear in politics in the spring: Germany and the other European countries are dependent on producers in China for the supply of masks.

As more and more countries were imposing export restrictions, and medical protective equipment was only scarce and then confiscated, the Ministry of Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) decided that dependency on China should be reduced and more masks should be produced in Europe - preferably in Germany.

The federal government decided on a funding program for manufacturers of mouth and nose protection and respiratory masks.

But only now, eight months after the start of the pandemic, Altmaier handed over the first funding decision to a company on Monday.

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The Skylotec company in Neuwied, Rhineland-Palatinate, will receive 3.2 million euros from the federal government so that it will produce around half a billion masks - but only in the third quarter of next year.

Until then, three machines are to be set up in a newly built hall, which will primarily produce surgical mouth and nose covers from fleece bought in Germany.

Masks might not come until the pandemic is pushed back

Although the production of more effective FFP2 masks is also planned in Neuwied, this production will only start in a second step and with 54 million pieces only make up about ten percent of total production.

The masks could only roll off the production line if the pandemic has not yet ended through the use of vaccines next year, but has been pushed back.

Nevertheless, the state pays almost a third of the investment sum of ten million euros.

And Skylotec is just the beginning: a total of more than 270 applications for state support for mask production have been received.

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The Minister of Economic Affairs considers the program a success.

“In the last six months we have achieved something that very few would have thought possible,” he said.

Altmaier doesn't believe that the masks made in Germany will come too late.

"You can't create programs like this overnight," he said.

“We don't know how long it will take before we can also vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated.” The masks would be needed in any case.

"Whether Corona or not, there will also be pandemics in the future," Altmaier believes.

"You are therefore not late at all, but just right."

However, at least Skylotec would have invested if the government hadn't paid millions, says managing director Kai Rinklake.

"We are convinced that with enough engineering know-how we can make up for the disadvantages in terms of energy and personnel costs," he said.

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After all, the masks from China would have to include the transport costs.

"In principle, you only transport air from Asia," said Rinklake.

"If we compensate for that, we are already competitive." That is why there is no plan B for him.

“We will achieve our goal of being competitive.” After all, the medium-sized family company was able to save some of its employees from short-time working.

They were used in the construction of the hall, reports Rinklake.

Skylotec is venturing into a completely new business area with mask production.

So far, the company has mainly produced so-called fall protection devices for climbers - in industry and in the leisure sector.

At the beginning of the pandemic, existing machines were used to produce simple fabric masks.

Surgical mouth and nose covers and FFP2 masks are now to be added.

Altmaier raves about the innovative manufacturing methods with which Skylotec wants to produce the masks.

The production is to be highly automated, so that earbands do not have to be sewn into the masks, but these are attached by machine.

Up to 800 masks should roll off the line every minute.

The only question that remains is whether so many masks “made in Germany” will still be needed.