Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Donates 150,000 Liters of Disinfectant to State of Hesse
04.03.20
Company said it built up its own capacities to produce disinfectant.
Due to the shortage of disinfectant caused by the coronavirus crisis, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, has built up its own capacities to produce disinfectant in Darmstadt and Wiesbaden.
The company is donating 150,000 liters of this to the state of Hesse.
“The availability of medical equipment and materials remains a pressing problem. I would, therefore, like to cordially thank the company for its donation, which is an important sign of solidarity and willingness to help," said Volker Bouffier, prime minister of the State of Hesse. "The disinfectant will primarily aid doctors and nurses who are working hard to care for people and save lives. Your support has a tremendous effect."
Normally, Merck KGaA does not manufacture disinfectant.
“In a joint effort, we have built up our own capacities for this within a very short period of time and retooled production units within the scope of existing permits,” said Kai Beckmann, member of the company's Executive Board. “We are more than ready and willing to support the state of Hesse in protecting the medical personnel who are on the front lines of the current crisis. The population can only be effectively protected by well-equipped personnel. The raw materials ethanol and propanol for the manufacture of the disinfectant are regularly used in the production of pharmaceutical excipients as well as in research and development, among other things."
The agent for disinfecting hands and surfaces is filled in 2.5-liter and 5-liter bottles delivered to a central collection point in the state and distributed by the state authorities from there.
