Covid-19: IIT Delhi startup launches affordable and effective face mask, KAWACH

Team Udayavani, Apr 19, 2020, 4:01 PM IST

IIT Delhi startup ETEX has come up with a cheap yet effective face mask for protecting people from the risk of Covid-19

There is an unprecedented shortage in supply of masks during Covid-19 crisis and ETEX has launched an affordable and effective face mask, KAWACH.

N95 masks provide proper protection against Covid-19, but many people cannot afford it due to its high price and most of them are using surgical masks and handkerchief but due to loose-fitting of such masks, this may allow virus to enter or leave from the side edges.

KAWACH mask is at par with N95 in terms of proper fitting, and engineered filtration layer that could provide up to 98% filtration efficiency. The mask price is kept affordable, below Rs.45, so that it can reach masses for enhanced protection.

Prof Bipin Kumar of the Textile and Fiber Engineering Department, IIT-D, said, “India has several massive challenges ahead disposal of PPEs after one-time use and ensuring the minimum use of non-woven technology for PPEs. The ‘Kawach’ mask is a result of our indigenous manufacturing capabilities”