Industry News

Partnership delivers hand sanitiser in the face of exceptional demand

Leading global hygiene and cleaning products company Diversey is manufacturing hand sanitiser in partnership with South African Breweries (SAB) – a proud member of the AB InBev family – to help local efforts in combatting the spread of COVID-19. SAB swiftly redirected its Innovation and Communities strategies to respond to the COVID-19 crisis through the production of hand sanitisers. SAB donated the ethanol for Diversey to use in the process and the resulting production run was then donated by SAB to local hospitals and clinics in critical areas where the COVID-19 pandemic is already causing serious impact.

Boniface Kariuki of Diversey, reflecting on the partnership, said: “As a company we are recognised for extending help to the communities in which we operate, particularly in difficult times; and none more so than now, with the unique threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Combining our renowned expertise in hygiene in this collaboration means we are able to respond and get the required help to the critical areas on the ground much quicker. In working closely with SAB we have been able to contribute in addressing the serious shortage of hand sanitiser.”

Diversey’s efforts are part of a privatesector response that runs parallel to the South African Government’s efforts, including the lockdown measures that together are designed to protect the nation and ensure the spread of the virus is contained by flattening the curve of infection. The exceptional global demand for alcohol-based sanitiser has resulted in significant shortages in this pandemic. However, due to their collaboration, Diversey and SAB have been able to produce hand sanitiser for the local healthcare sector.

In total, SAB has donated 150 000 litres of hand sanitiser over a period of three months. The initial production target of 100 000 bottles for Phase One of the project is equivalent to 50 000 litres. Initially, a total of 10 000 of these bottles were delivered to the Riverpark clinic in Alexandra, Johannesburg and the rest have been distributed to the Provincial Departments of Health for distribution to hospitals in need. SAB/AB InBev subsequently agreed to proceed with Phases Two and Three (each 50 000 litres) which made their way to the Department of Transport and the Department of Basic Education for distribution to under-resourced schools.