• $37 billion market estimated (before the Coronavirus outbreak) to rise to $50 billion by 2025
• Significant new long-term markets arising as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic
• Major design shortcomings in current masks identified by existing and new wearers
• Communication hindrance the most serious design problem
• Worldwide lack of PPE mask production capacity
• Global push to reduce dependence on China for PPE supply

Use of current PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted several shortcomings with face masks and respirators, namely poor comfort for long-term use, less than optimum effectiveness at preventing virus transmission and seriously inhibited communication due to the lack of visibility of the face and mouth.

Billions of facemasks are produced per year worldwide and yet none overcome the fundamental issue of communication while remaining medically effective.

Market research shows an overwhelming demand for masks with a degree of transparency, not only from traditional mask-wearers (such as the medical profession), but also from professions who will find mask-wearing the new norm such as GPs, carers, public transport personnel, police officers, retail staff, social workers and those in the hospitality trade. In addition, the elderly, hearing-impaired and those for whom English is not their first language agree that mask transparency would be a significant advantage.

As mask-wearing becomes a part of normal life for so many worldwide, the need for a product which does not interfere with the practicalities of everyday communication will be substantial.

Rhipsalis is in a unique position to take advantage of this under-supplied and growing market with patent-pending new and unique products which overcome existing design flaws.

The unique products will be able to utilise many non-traditional PPE manufacturing resources so increasing UK production capacity for masks.

Rhipsalis has:

• Access to and knowledge of existing and new PPE-wearing markets
• Track record in fast-tracking medical device design from concept to production
• Significant experience in developing product design Intellectual Property