- We need to come up in large volumes to have a chance to buy protective equipment. Then other, smaller municipalities can buy from us - so this will benefit them, says Erik Pelling (S), municipal council.

He points out that the market for protective materials is very tough right now - competition is great as the need for materials is great all over the world.

- To be more attractive as a buyer, you have to go together, says Erik Pelling.

Going to the castle

The idea is that Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Uppsala will go to the guarantor with up to SEK 125 million each to secure purchases. The joint purchases are made through an interest-free credit from SKI, a purchasing center owned by Sweden's municipalities and regions.

Uppsala Municipality has not made the formal decision to join the collaboration yet, but it is expected to be pushed through at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

After the meeting, a press conference will be held where the municipality will tell more about the cooperation and access to protective material.