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March 25, 2020 08:30 AM

Kickstart: New plastic on the checkout line

Rhoda Miel
Managing Editor
Plastics News Staff
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    Plastics are making an unexpected resurgence at the grocery store.

    Not only are food suppliers turning to more prepackaged items rather than bulk to help reduce exposure to the coronavirus, but also grocery stores are increasingly turning to plastic for an extra protective layer for consumers and workers.

    First stores began switching to plastic bags, rather than encouraging reusable bags since most consumers don't wash their bags frequently.

    Now chains across the U.S. are reporting that they're installing clear plastic panels along checkout lanes to separate cashiers and shoppers at their most frequent point of contact.

    "When looking at the typical checkout experience, where you push your cart up and start interacting with our team member ... really putting that divide right there was the most effective way," Jannah Jablonowski, a spokesperson for the Giant Eagle grocery chain, told Pittsburgh's WTAE.

     

    'Critical' industries

    Plastics companies may be able to turn to the federal Department of Homeland Security to answer questions about whether they are a critical part of the economic backbone of the country.

    Steve Toloken reports that DHS has declared the chemicals and plastics industry to be part of the critical infrastructure.

    But not every part of the supply base is assuming that applies to them. With the bulk of the North American auto industry shutting down, suppliers of a range of parts are also closing. Marelli, the Japan-based company that includes molding operations from both the former Magnetti Marelli and Calsonic Kansei, told Automotive News it is suspending most operations in the U.S.

    Similar outcomes likely await suppliers to the recreational vehicle industry as Winnebago Industries announced it has shuttered manufacturing and does not expect to resume operations until after April 12.

     

    Masks, shields and gowns

    Meanwhile, companies from a range of end markets are ramping up and opening new lines to supply face shields, respirators and other protective equipment.

    Here are just a few that we've heard about in the past 48 hours:

    • Petoskey Plastics has switched one of its film lines to make protective gowns for medical workers.

    • Ford Motor Co. is teaming up with GE and 3M to make parts for ventilators masks and shields.

    • Modern Plastics is making face shields.

    • Honeywell International Inc. will hire up to 500 people starting this summer as it ramps up production of N95 masks.

     

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