The CEO of New World Development invests HK$10 million in research of new antibacterial technology and two local production lines to produce 20,000 surgical masks daily
When New World Development (NWD)’s charitable foundation, donated HK$10 million to set up “community anti-epidemic fund” last month to distribute over 1 million masks and more than 10,000 preventive kits to low-income families, the Group’s CEO, Adrian Cheng, saw the urgent demand for high-quality yet affordable masks.
Driven by the Group’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) principles—a mission to contribute concrete and innovative solutions to social issues—NWD announced today that two local surgical mask production lines will be in operation starting in April 2020.
We have no shortage of scientific research capabilities, talent and resources in this city, and we are absolutely equipped to produce high-quality masks locally to tackle immediate and long-term needs. – Adrian Cheng
As a measure to “bring long-term positive change to society”, this initiative is launched in partnership with Master Dynamic Limited (MD), a leading Hong Kong material analysis and nanotechnology company.
Headquartered at Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) and staffed with over 100 engineers, software developers and researchers, MD will receive a HK$10 million donation from NWD for research, development and production of NanaDiamonds technology, an antibacterial technology that could potentially help produce high-performance, breathable and waterproof antibacterial and antiviral masks.
NWD also announced that the two automated mask production machines will be placed in a factory with cleanrooms to make adults and children-sized surgical masks at ASTM-Level 1 and above. Each production line is expected to produce up to 100,000 masks daily, to be distributed to low-income families through non-profit organisations in Hong Kong.
See also: 5 Ways Adrian Cheng Is Changing The Game