Ontario invests $550K in COVID-19 retooling for packaging manufacturers

The Ontario government is investing $550,000 to help two packaging manufacturers retool their operations and increase capacity in the manufacturing of masks for both adults and children.

Viva Healthcare Packaging will receive $450,000 to retool its operations and begin making three-ply, disposable surgical masks in both regular and children’s sizes at its Toronto facility.

The company will modify its facility to accommodate new equipment and set up new mask production lines in Ontario. Production will start at 7.5 million masks per month and ramp up to 22.5 million masks per month by March 31, 2021.

The masks will be ASTM-rated level 1 or 2, which means they will be tested and certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Developed using locally sourced materials, these masks are medical grade and can be used in hospitals.

Ckdpack Packaging, a green packaging solutions provider, will receive $100,000 to purchase cutting, fabric welding and sewing equipment at its Straffordville facility in southwestern Ontario to automate and expand its current production of surgical masks and disposable gowns.

This will allow the company to increase its capacity to make 300,000 certified surgical masks per month, which is a 900 per cent increase from its current production. The company will also make 30,000 gowns per month, which is a 1,400 per cent increase over its current capacity.

The investments are being made through the province’s Ontario Together Fund, which was created to help manufacturers retool for production of equipment and supplies to combat COVID-19.