Mercedes partner INEOS also takes part in COVID-19 combat
INEOS, the UK-based multifunctional chemical company announced its plans to take part in the battle against the COVID-19 coronavirus by producing hand sanitisers.
The company signed an agreement with Mercedes ahead of the season, becoming one of the main partners of the reigning world champion team which also saw the company’s logo appear on the upper air intake of the W11.
As the leading European producer of the two key raw materials needed for sanitisers, isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and ethanol, INEOS announced its intention to play an active role in slowing down the rapid spread of the coronavirus. The company’s main factory is located in Grangemouth, Scotland while it has another plant in northern Germany. INEOS is the largest producer of the two key raw materials needed for hospital hand sanitiser, producing almost 1 million tonnes.
As it is clear that the major contagion pathway for the coronavirus is hand to mouth, the need for hand sanitiser has become critical in the fight against the virus, leading to a shortage across Europe.
Tom Crotty: “Usually something like this would involve months of planning.
— INEOS (@INEOS) March 24, 2020
“It’s a sign of the times – everyone just wants to get these problems solved immediately.” #COVID19 @SkyIanKingLive pic.twitter.com/4EHFYpUvug
While the company is already running its factories flat out to meet the increased need for the raw materials, it is building two plants in the UK and Germany in ten days to produce one million hand sanitisers per month to help with the European shortage. Taking the requirements of the World Health Organisation into consideration, the sanitisers produced by INEOS will be specifically designed to kill bacteria and viruses.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, founder and chairman of INEOS adds, “INEOS is a company with enormous resources and manufacturing skills. If we can find other ways to help in the Coronavirus battle, we are absolutely committed to playing our part.”
