The athletic wear brand Under Armour, has designed a new surgical face mask that does not require any sewing. The brand has joined the fight and will be manufacturing 100,000 masks per week to support the healthcare system dealing with an international shortage. 

Hospitals are in dire need of PPE and in response, fashion brands like Prada and Chrisitian Siriano have directed their manufacturing efforts towards healthcare needs. Under Armour responded by transforming their innovation lab, UA lighthouse into a factory for face masks, face shields and fanny packs.

After a fast stage of prototyping, designers created a one-piece mask that can be produced quickly and at large scale. “This design allows us to share masks with healthcare facilities quicker than we could if we had to sew them,” Randy Harward, Under Armour’s senior vice president of advanced material and manufacturing innovation told Fast Company. Under Armour has internally named it “origami mask.” They are made to fit tightly and be disposed of after a day of use. In its official statement, the company says that its masks “could provide an additional barrier against the virus to shield healthcare workers.”

“This mindset is important now more than ever as we come together to combat COVID-19. I’m incredibly proud of the quick thinking and hard work of all our Under Armour teammates as we work with health care professionals to strengthen our community — teamwork has proven to be key,” stated CEO Patrik Frisk.