Covid-19: Firmenich increases hand sanitiser production to 100 tonnes

Swiss fragrance and flavour company Firmenich is expanding its hand sanitiser production to 100t in support of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

The increase in production will help meet the growing demand for the commodity in hospitals, medical and emergency services across the US and Switzerland.

It will specifically donate the product to hospitals, medical centres, midwives, care workers, emergency services, public transportation, NGOs and community associations.

The move builds on Firmenich’s donation of 20t of hand sanitiser in Geneva.

It first started producing sanitisers at its Geneva site to donate the product to the Geneva University Hospital (HUG), as well as medical and emergency services.

Firmenich CEO Gilbert Ghostine said: “As a responsible company, it is critical for us to take action and demonstrate our solidarity with the local communities where we operate in these unprecedented times

“This hand sanitiser will allow us to protect our people and the frontline emergency staff working relentlessly to combat this pandemic.

“I am extremely proud of and grateful to all our Firmenich colleagues who are going above and beyond to make this happen. Together, we will prove that solidarity is more contagious than the virus.”

The company is also exploring the option to bring in production lines in Europe and Asia to meet the demand for hand sanitiser in local communities.