Philip Morris International is dedicated to contributing to the fight against COVID-19

Philip Morris International

Philip Morris International (PMI) continues to contribute to the global response to coronavirus with ongoing and planned initiatives in more than 60 countries that include monetary and in-kind donations, as well as volunteer work to support national and local efforts to combat the virus and help those most affected by it.

PMI has supplied protective equipment to trade partners, supported care communities, secured support to purchase items that are essential to the fight against COVID-19, and provided financial support to institutions and NGOs working to end the crisis.  “Our company is resilient and strong, and that is a testament to our more than 73,000 employees worldwide,” said Charles Bendotti, Senior Vice President of People & Culture “I believe we will emerge even stronger from this global crisis, having pulled together and worked together to see each other through.”

Additionally, PMI has established guiding principles that support employees by covering three key areas:

Employment stability:

• The company will not terminate the employment of any PMI employee during this crisis period, unless for cause, and restructuring plans have been put on hold.

Financial stability:

• PMI will continue to provide regular compensation to all PMI employees, regardless of their ability to fully perform their professional duties during this period.

Special recognition awards:

• PMI employees who need to be physically present at their usual work locations (in factories, in warehouses, in the field, or in offices), as permitted by local regulations, will be given special recognition awards during this crisis period. The company will continue taking all necessary safety measures to protect those employees who are working at such locations.

To date, PMI has pledged in excess of USD 24 million to support actions against the pandemic. Its support will continue to grow as  the company works to meet the evolving needs of the communities in which it operates.

HP Mobilizes 3D Printing to Battle COVID-19

HP

HP Inc. and its global digital manufacturing community announced in a press release on March 24 that they are mobilizing their 3D printing teams, technology, experience, and production capacity to help deliver critical parts in the effort to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

HP has produced more than 35,000 parts to date and growing, with partners and customers producing tens of thousands more. HP’s 3D R&D centers in Barcelona, Spain; Corvallis, Oregon; San Diego, California and Vancouver, Washington are collaborating with partners around the world in a coordinated effort to increase production to meet the most urgent needs. Initial applications being validated and finalized for industrial production include face masks, face shields, mask adjusters, nasal swabs, hands-free door openers, and respirator parts. HP is also coordinating with government, health, and industry agencies in numerous countries to ensure a synchronized and effective approach.

Some of the first applications being validated and produced include:

• Hands-Free Door Opener: Door handles are among the most germ-infested objects in houses, hospitals, factories, and elderly homes. This adapter allows for easy and more sanitary opening with an elbow. This hands-free door opener has been designed by HP’s Digital Manufacturing Network partner Materialise.

• Mask Adjuster: Many hospital staff are required to wear masks for long periods of time. This clasp is designed to improve comfort and alleviate associated ear pain.

• Face Shields: Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protection items. Brackets to hold the shield and comfortably fit the wearer are a critical component.

• FFP3 Face Masks: Effective protective gear is needed for medical providers to treat the volume of expected COVID-19 patients. HP is validating several hospital-grade face masks and expects them to be available shortly. One example of face mask has been developed by the Research Institute CIIRC CVUT and is being produced using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology and distributed by Škoda Auto in the Czech Republic.

Many more applications are in the testing and validation phase and are expected to begin production soon, including:

• Field Ventilator: 3D printed parts for a mechanical bag valve mask (BVM) that is designed for use as a short-term emergency ventilation of COVID-19 patients. This simplified design enables a robust and less-complex device, facilitating its rapid production and assembly.

• Nasopharyngeal swabs: HP has developed an investigational 3D printed nasopharyngeal test swab, designed for use in COVID-19 testing. HP has shared the swab designs with several premiere research partners for clinical evaluation. We are working closely with leading researchers at Harvard University and Beth Israel

Deaconess Medical Center to assist with gathering test data and to further refine the 3D printed swab designs, materials, and printing capacity. We are advancing fast with the goal of mass producing the swabs with HP’s industrial-grade Jet Fusion 3D printers.

To read the full press release, please click here.