Diversey - the leading global hygiene and cleaning company – is manufacturing hand sanitizer in a partnership with the South African Breweries (SAB), a proud member of the ABInbev family, to help local efforts in combatting the spread of SARS-CoV-19.
SAB swiftly redirected its Innovation and Communities strategies to respond to the Covid-19 crisis through the production of hand sanitizers. SAB donated the ethanol for Diversey to use in the process. 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, or where it is predicted to do so in the very near future.
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 sanitizer and deliver essential protection to those in need.
Partnership Delivers in Face of Exceptional Global Demand
Diversey’s efforts are part of a private sector response that runs parallel to the SouthAfrican government’s efforts, including the 21-day lockdown measures - since extended - 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 sanitizer has resulted in significant shortages in this pandemic. However, due to their collaboration, Diversey and SAB have been able to produce hand sanitizer for the local healthcare sector.
SAB has in total donated 150,000 litres of hand sanitizers 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 of hand sanitizer. A total of 10,000 of these bottles were delivered initially 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/ABInbev 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.
Lance Moodley of Diversey states: “This initiative to help protect the health of the people of South Africa is just one of a number of partnerships with global companies that Diversey is undertaking in response to the current pandemic. We are grateful for SAB’s donation of ethanol, in addition to their local knowledge. What is even more gratifying is that the success of this partnership means it has also now been extended to Tanzania, where the project is currently under rollout."
Diversey’s purpose is to protect and care for people every day. Diversey has been, and always will be, a pioneer and facilitator for life. We constantly deliver revolutionary cleaning and hygiene technologies that provide total confidence to our customers across all of our global sectors, including: cleaning products, systems andservices that efficiently integrate chemicals, machines and sustainability programs. This makes us unique among leading global hygiene and cleaning companies. Everything we do has our customers’ needs at its heart and is based on the belief that cleaning and hygiene are life essentials. With over 95 years of expertise, we safeguard our customers’ businesses, contributing to productivity improvements, lower total operating costs and brand protection.
Diversey is headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, USA.
For more information please visit www.diversey.com or follow us on social media.
