Hungary’s MOL to produce hand sanitizer at Almasfuzito site

LONDON (ICIS)–MOL has converted a windshield washer production line at its facilities in Almasfuzito, Hungary, into production of 50,000 litres/day of hand sanitizer, the petrochemicals producer said on Wednesday.

Hand sanitizers demand has not kept up with demand in Europe in past weeks after the region became the  epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.

Isopropanol (IPA) and ethanol are two key feedstock for the product; European prices for IPA have posted record highs on the back of high demand and short supply.

“The unit is operating 24/7, in three shifts, producing a daily volume of around 50,000 litres, allowing MOL to contribute to the global fight against Covid-19,” the company said.

The hand sanitizers have not yet been commercialised at MOL’s gas station in its domestic market, but the first volumes have already been delivered to hospital or other public utilities.

“[Delivered have been made] as directed by the Operative Group set up by the Hungarian government. Production and shipping will be continuous,” said the company.

MOL’s subsidiaries in Croatia and Slovakia, INA and Vurup, have also started producing hand sanitizer.

“Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary solutions. We have made the switch at the plant, obtained the necessary approvals and optimised production processes in only two weeks, a record time,” said MOL’s CEO Zsolt Hernadi.