Cargill, one of Europe’s largest alcohol producers, has donated a first batch of 60,000 litre of disinfecting alcohol to the health sector in the Netherlands.
Through the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) this will be distributed to hospitals and other healthcare institutions in the Netherlands where a shortage has arisen as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
Niels Maijers, coordinator, National Corona Taskforce, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, said, “This enables us to ensure the availability of surface disinfection.”
Since the rapid global spread of the COVID-19 virus, the demand for disinfecting alcohol – to sanitise surfaces – has increased dramatically, and many health institutions throughout Europe are facing imminent shortages.
Recently, Cargill decided to put its alcohol production in Europe at the service of this crisis and to make a first donation of 60,000 litre to the Dutch government. This disinfecting alcohol is produced by its employees at the company’s Sas van Gent plant in Zeeland.
A collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport was set up. The filling of 60,000 litre of disinfecting alcohol will begin shortly. This will then be distributed across the healthcare sector to support hygiene.
Alain Dufait, managing director, Cargill Europe, said, “Cargill not only supplies essential food ingredients for humans and animals, but also alcohol for the drink and health industry. Our people are working around the clock to keep our factories operating at full capacity across Europe.”
“It is no easy task because at the same time, we are also strengthening our hygiene measures so that our people can do their jobs safely. We take our responsibility to continue to supply the food and health industry very seriously,” he added.
“In addition, we want to do our bit to help the government to optimally support and care for all sick patients. This will also enable medical staff to work more safely,” Dufait said.
The precise extent of demand for disinfecting alcohol in these unusual circumstances is still unclear, but Cargill will closely monitor demand, so that we can expand deliveries where necessary.
“We are also currently investigating how we can support the authorities in other European countries – such as Italy, Belgium and Germany – from our European factory network,” Dufait said.
“In the meantime, a global network has been set up within the company to supply the production companies with the necessary protective clothing and hygiene products so that our people can continue to work safely,” he added.