Covid-19: "The State must stop buying Chinese masks at discounted prices!"

A few hours from the Great Exhibition of Made in France organized on July 3 and 4 at the Élysée Palace, the Syndicate of French Mask Manufacturers intends to make its voice heard to promote French know-how in production. of surgical masks and FFP2. Jeanne Lemoine, vice-president of the association, asks the government to favor French manufacturing, in order to stem foreign imports, particularly Chinese ones.

Challenges - What is the current situation for mask producers in France?

Jeanne Lemoine - We must stop buying foreign masks. Currently, France produces nearly 100 million surgical and FFP2 masks each week compared to 3.5 million before the health crisis. The number of factories has thus increased from four to a dozen in France to meet the strong demand for single-use masks. Obviously, small structures participated in this production but today they have returned to their main activity. Our mobilization has enabled us to achieve self-sufficiency in production capacity. A boon for our country which could reduce its dependence on Asian countries and avoid a shortage of masks in the event of a new pandemic. However, for several months, we have seen a strong comeback in imports of masks at discounted prices, particularly from China, with the complicity of the State which buys these products. China has understood that Europe has realized its dependence on equipment and production. And by offering masks a few cents cheaper, between three and four cents, she wants French companies to die. This is what will happen if the government does not act and continues to import foreign masks.

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In the event of an improvement in the health situation in France, the executive will gradually lift health restrictions, in particular the obligation to wear a mask indoors. Demand will therefore be lower. How will manufacturers adapt post-Covid-19?

We have already anticipated this period. We have reached 50% of our production capacity. Currently, our clientele is quite large with regional and departmental councils or even large distribution companies such as Carrefour or Leclerc who have committed to buying French. Obviously, the sector is preparing for possible new lifting of health restrictions such as the end of wearing a mask indoors. However, the hospital sector will still need to stock up on surgical masks. The problem is that all of these players buy abroad. It is imperative that this sector is supplied in France so that our sector lasts over time, especially after the health crisis.

What are you asking of the government?

It is essential that the sector be sustainable for environmental, economic and safety reasons. We are asking the government to review its public procurement policy. During calls for tenders, the essential criterion remains the price, to the detriment of other elements (CSR, carbon footprint, quality, etc.). The executive needs to think about the long-term consequences. The purchase of a 100% French mask restores 70% of the value in France, compared to 15% for an imported mask. In addition, 10,000 jobs have been created in our sector. And if the government does not listen to us and continues to import masks from foreign countries, these jobs will be destroyed. Today, we note an awareness of the Élysée on the difficulty of the sector in the face of import purchases. And our participation in the Great Exhibition of Made in France proves that the mobilization of our sector is recognized. In recent weeks, many discussions around the criteria for calls for tenders have taken place and are still ongoing with several ministries. We feel a real will but now, decisions have to be made quickly.

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