Conference Speakers

Samia Moore

Global Marketing Management, Hollingsworth & Vose Company

BIOGRAPHY

Samia Moore is a seasoned professional in the marketing and sales sectors, currently serving as the Global Marketing Manager for Medical/Respiratory/Personal Protective Apparel Systems at Hollingsworth & Vose since April 2011. With a strong background in account management and business development, Samia has demonstrated expertise in developing customer relationships, identifying growth opportunities, and implementing strategic sales initiatives. Prior to their current role, Samia was the Sr Account Manager at Sud-Chemie’s Air Purification Division, bringing over ten years of experience in the environmental industry. Samia holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University and a DEA in Catalysis from Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1.

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A Novel and Universal Product Line for All Respiratory Protection Filter Needs

The pace of innovation has been slow in the respiratory protection equipment (RPE) market over the last 30 years.

     With many advances in filter media technology, there are many opportunities to improve upon the standardized outdated designs widely utilized in the market. From product (filter) design, to manufacturing, regulatory compliance, and end-user education there is ample room for innovation and a new generation of higher performing, more comfortable, and better fitting respirators.

     Although often discussed in generalities, the requirements for the next generation RPE have not been globally harmonized. Specifically, shelf-life (>5 years), elimination of substances of concerns in raw materials, flexible low-cost production, child-sized respirators, equitable distribution of high performing RPE are all high on the list of improvements for the greater good, but have yet to be worked-on due to the status-quo mentality in RPE design and production.

     - On average, RPE producers spend 3-5 years developing their next generation products. They report the process being complex, requiring a lot of time spent on internal trials and validations. The filter design is part of the challenge in coming up with better performing, more comfortable solutions. And while the market points toward smaller filters and higher efficiencies, the technologies available to achieve such goals are becoming less and less viable.

     - Furthermore, PFAS-containing filters are increasingly becoming the focus of RPE producers who are seeking solutions without these “forever chemicals”.

     - Lastly, in times of crises, deploying RPE to people in need can be a great challenge: bogged down production lines, too many (unclear) offering to choose from, with inadequate respiratory protection, wrong size, poor fit, lack of pediatric solutions, snowballs into a global logistical and humanitarian nightmare.

     New technologies are needed to support the RPE products of the future, FOR ALL.

     Hollingsworth & Vose launched, in 2024, the first filter media that offers a more intuitive and comprehensive design and production solution for P100 respirators without relying on fluorochemistry. NanoWave® ESA is an all-synthetic media, that can achieve P100 efficiency without pleating and with higher user comfort.

     RPE producers are excited about the enhanced performance that our 3D filter media structures bring vs. current 2D filter media constructions. They share that the ease of producing filter cartridges by simply die cutting 3D media will streamline the design, validation, and scale-up of the filter. RPE producers are also seeing an advantage in being first movers in introducing respirators with zero-added PFAS.

     This novel 3D filter media can also be produced with stretch/elastic properties, of up to 90%, expanding the degrees of freedom for designers to enable highly efficient, stretchable and breathable RPE and medical garments that can be stretched to size to conform to complex geometries for improved fit and performance.

     From disposable and reusable respirator filters, to personal protective apparel systems, handkerchiefs and scarves, to stroller protection covers and shelter covering, etc… this new 3D nonwoven media structure provides a new and safer filter media platform for respiratory protection.