The company that makes paper straws for McDonald’s is aiming to produce around one million face visors a week.

Transcend Packaging, based in Ystrad Mynach, will be producing the equipment for frontline staff, with the country in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

The equipment will also be used in factories and other workplaces.

If needed, the company could increase production to two million visors a week.

The visors will be sent to the NHS in Wales, as well as other parts of the UK and further afield.

Lorenzo Angelucci, CEO of Transcend Packaging, said: “We’ve been aware of the national difficulties in sourcing PPE – as a packaging manufacturer we challenged ourselves to see what we could do to help.

“We’re delighted to have designed, produced and received our CE-marked, regulatory approval for a face shield that can be produced quickly, inexpensively and in large quantities.

“These face shields will help provide Covid-19 protection across Wales and beyond, protecting our brave NHS staff, care home workers, retail and restaurant staff and other frontline workers.

“Our goal is to get as many shields in the hands of key workers as possible and we should be able to produce between one and two million face shields a week as long as the need persists.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford, said: “Transcend Packaging is a great example of what a business can do to adapt the way it works to support our response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to thank the company for everything it’s doing and rising to the challenge.

“Transcend join a growing number of individuals and firms standing up and making the equipment we need to support our fantastic health and care workers. We appreciate each and every offer of support.”

Welsh economy minister Ken Skates said: “Transcend Packaging is an important business in Caerphilly County and I applaud the way it has changed its way of working to develop a vital product, which will help support and protect many people.”