COHOES (WRGB) Mohawk Fine Papers has added ready-to-use field hospital rooms to its lineup of products aimed to aid New York during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company had already turned to production of sanitizer bottle labels and slotting rolls of gowns and masks into smaller sizes.

But when staff began brainstorming for more ways to help, they settled on a niche product usually used to construct lightweight, sturdy trade show exhibits — Xanita Board, which is manufactured by a Capetown, South Africa startup, and distributed in the U.S. by Mohawk.

The product resembles corrugated cardboard, but is strong enough to hear weight. It is lightweight, and can be cut to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle — so no tools are required to assemble three-dimensional, weight-bearing structures.

Within 24 hours of contacting the suppliers, Mohawk had received a complete set of “cut files,” which show how to set up room dividers and patient beds for use in pop-up hospitals.

Mohawk has also partnered with DataFlow, a custom printing and signage company in Binghamton, to do the cutting. Walls, beds, and other useful structures can then be shipped with easy instructions and built in minutes, using nuts and bolts shipped with each kit.

The units are made from recycled cardboard, and can be stored for re-use or turned back into pulp for paper.

Mohawk is also offering warehouse space and logistical assistance to help expedite the transport of medical supplies, and expects to reconfigure some its converting facilities to speed PPE production for medical workers.

Mohawk’s customer service is typically only available on weekdays, but right now, inquiries can be directed anytime to Tommy.OConnor@mohawkpaper.com. Requests for the field hospital cut files and any non-time sensitive questions should be emailed to mike.madura@mohawkpaper.com.