TAGS: Toiletries
Hexigone Inhibitors has started manufacturing hospital-grade hand sanitizers to help front line workers. The sanitizer meets the standard set by the World Health Organization, is already in use in local organizations.
Large Isopropanol Donation
Hexigone’s large mixing vessels, which normally produce highly effective corrosion inhibitor, are now working vigorously to meet demand from nationwide councils and care homes.
The COVID-19 crisis has put huge pressure on the PPE supply chain – leaving NHS staff and other key workers at risk of contracting the deadly virus. The main ingredient for hand sanitizer, isopropanol, is currently in huge demand worldwide. The UK Government’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, linked-up Hexigone with pharmaceutical giant, Glaxosmithkline, who subsequently donated 8,000 liters of isopropanol to ramp-up production.
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As a chemical manufacturer, adapting our skills and resources to produce hand sanitizer was an obvious fit, and we are grateful to Innovate UK and Glaxosmithkline for supporting our efforts,” said Ruth Bowley, manufacturing manager at Hexigone.
Sanitizers Contain 75 Percent Alcohol
The project started via the South Wales Additive and Rapid Manufacturing (SWARM) Consortia as a joint venture with Swansea University. And, after some joint-learning when setting up the manufacturing process, the teams divided their efforts to increase output to the front line. The University is now able to maintain its own production in addition to Hexigone’s output.
For the sanitizer to be effective, it must contain at least 60 percent alcohol. The batches made by Hexigone are 75 percent- precisely made to the WHO recommended formulation - ensuring that the coronavirus and other microbial pathogens are killed. Other ingredients include water to dilute, glycerol to moisturize, hydrogen peroxide to kill any fungal spores, and finally, lemongrass essential oil to scent the sanitizer.
Source: Hexigone