António Moreira Gonçalves
Portugal is already manufacturing the much-desired Nonwoven Fabric (TNT) for health facilities. TrimNW is one of the few factories outside of China making this product, and is able to manufacture up to 300 thousand metres of water-resistant TNT each week, after having reconverted its production line from auto parts to medical gear, such as gowns, suits, head masks and sleeves. A decision that called for the return of all laid off workers.
In just a few weeks, the machines that made textiles for automobile interiors have begun manufacturing a new item, certified by the technological centre CITEVE. Currently, 125 thousand metres of TNT are made every week, although the company is gearing up to raise that number to 300 thousand. This operation has recalled 20 workers that had been laid off.
It comes as a relief for the country since Portugal – as well as in Europe and the world in general – had a structural dependency from China regarding these nonwoven fabrics adapted to hospital needs. TrimNW is the only factory in the Iberian Peninsula that is able to manufacture this type of product, joining the other four that exist in Europe.
“We started getting contacts and realized there was a real demand for this Nonwoven Fabric in health care. The one we usually make doesn´t need to be water-resistant, but for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that is vital. We made small changes in the manufacturing process and carried out several insulation tests”, relays Rui Lopes, TrimNW CEO.
In 2019, TrimNW registered 3.6 million euro in sales and the first trimester of 2020 indicated a growing period. “Even accounting for the effects of the pandemic, during the first trimester we grew 10% compared to the equivalent period of last year”, discloses Rui Lopes, who is predicting a comeback to the auto sector by the end of May.