BETTER CHEMISTRY THAT KILLS COVID-19

AECI's range of hand sanitisers and surface disinfectants that protect people against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) have received important credentials confirming their efficacy and quality in the fight against COVID-19!

HAND SANITISERS

Developed in accordance with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for alcohol-based hand sanitisers, AECI Specialty Chemicals' hand sanitisers were awarded the South African National Standard (SANS) 490 by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Updated and published in October 2020, SANS 490 is a specific standard for alcohol-based hand sanitisers. The changes follow a significant rise in the number of fake test reports and SABS permits as well as incorrect "SABS Approved" logos in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The "SABS Approved" hand sanitisers bear the "SABS Approved" logo and the SANS 490 mark. They have undergone the following:

• Quality management system to ensure that the product is consistent throughout the production process
• Regular audits with samples – from the factory and retailers – to ensure that the product is consistent, fit-for-purpose and safe for use
• Vigorous tests to ensure that the product is compliant with SANS requirements

Current pack sizes are 1000l, 25l, 5l and 500ml.

SURFACE DISINFECTANTS

The two surface disinfectants that are available, namely Concentrate and Ready-To-Use (RTU), were tested by SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A report, proving that the products are effective against SARS-CoV-2, was received.

Locally, work has also been done on their efficacy against bacterial and spore-forming mould pathogens and a sales permit for the supply of chemical disinfectant from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) is in place. The responsibility of the Department of Trade & Industry, the NRCS's mandate includes promoting public health and safety. This is achieved through the development and administration of technical regulations and compulsory specifications as well as market surveillance to ensure compliance.

The concentrate is available in 25l and 5l and RTU is available in 5l and 1l spray bottles.

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the shutdown of some of our customers' operations in the first half of 2020, some of our businesses also slowed down or suspended their activities. This unplanned interruption gave us the opportunity to test our capability to respond innovatively and swiftly to an unforeseen challenge. We sought new adaptive opportunities and found good potential in the production and supply of sanitiser to aid in the response to the global pandemic.

AECI Specialty Chemicals took ethical responsibility to source pharmaceutical-grade ingredients, secure all required permits and permissions, and set up the necessary laboratory infrastructure for in-house product testing. Further, we worked with the WHO protocols to address any misinformation and ensure our hand sanitiser met credible criteria for efficacy and quality. The task was significant, but we were able to draw on our R&D capability, our network of employees, suppliers and buyers, and our relationships with industry authorities and bodies.

We launched our product publicly and made use of digital marketing channels to source new customers, sell products in bulk and donate to our employees, contractors and communities.

For its part, AECI Schirm in Germany, also rapidly deployed the manufacture of hand sanitiser and disinfectant to address the need to control the spread of COVID-19 in-country. Initially, a contract for the supply of 1,9 million litres was concluded with the German Department of Interior and executed in full. Thereafter, the business launched its own product range for the German market. Sales in other Eurozone countries could follow.