Ecolab has been asked to supply NHS Supply Chain with five million litres of hand sanitiser by the end of the year, to meet increased demand in the wake of COVID-19.
The five million litres of Skinman Soft Protect FF will be delivered in one-litre bottles. Skinman Soft Protect FF is a liquid, alcohol-based hand rub with a skin-friendly formulation with full virucidal efficacy in 30 seconds according to EN 14476. Using an alcohol-based hand rub with a specific claim for efficacy against enveloped viruses is one of the best ways to avoid transmission of emerging pathogens. Ecolab has also been supplying a wider range of hand hygiene and high-level surface disinfection products compliant with EN 14476 or have limited spectrum activity against vaccinia virus according to EN 14476.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for infection prevention solutions has surged, and Ecolab has worked closely with NHS Supply Chain to help ensure the right products are delivered where they are needed the most across the NHS and health and social care. The company has increased manufacturing capacity by 700% across Europe to help meet demand for critical infection prevention solutions. To supply this record quantity of hand sanitiser to NHS Supply Chain, Ecolab has mobilised its Weavergate production plant in Northwich, Cheshire in the UK.
The manufacturing team has set up a new mixing and filling line in six weeks to locally produce alcohol-based hand rub for professional use in large quantities. The first bottles were filled and delivered in early July, and further enhancements will help produce a quarter of a million bottles per week from September. Twenty new associates have been hired locally to support the production team of more than 50 full-time workers.
“Ecolab has been a reliable partner at the heart of the crisis,” commented Miranda Gordon, head of category, wound care and infection control at NHS Supply Chain. “Now that the peak has passed, we are building new stock of critical products to ensure our preparedness, whatever may come.”
