World’s
largest distiller in unprecedented
global response to Covid-19 in the UK,
Ireland, Italy, the USA, Brazil, Kenya,
India and Australia.
In an unprecedented global response
Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker Scotch
Whisky and Smirnoff vodka, has pledged
to enable the creation of more than
eight million bottles of hand sanitiser,
by donating up to two million litres of
alcohol to manufacturing partners, to
help protect frontline healthcare
workers in the fight against COVID-19.
The world’s largest distiller's pledge
is aimed at overcoming shortages to
protect frontline healthcare workers.
The donation of alcohol is enough to produce
more than eight million bottles of hand
sanitiser. They will provide Grain
Neutral Spirit (GNS) – a 96% strength
ethyl alcohol used primarily in
production of vodka and gin – and make
it available at no cost to hand
sanitiser producers in multiple
countries, to help overcome shortages in
healthcare systems. This donation will
enable the production of more than eight
million 250ml bottles of hand sanitiser.
Diageo continues to engage with national
and local governments across the many
countries where the company has major
distilling operations. The spirit will
be made available in supply chains
according to local circumstances,
working with the relevant authorities
and hand sanitiser manufacturers. This
will ensure the donation is used for
maximum impact in protecting health
workers and patients and that sanitiser
reaches the frontline as quickly as
possible.
The plan includes:
- The UK and the Republic of
Ireland: 500,000 litres of GNS to be
made available for national
healthcare systems and workers
across the UK and Ireland.
Italy: 100,000 litres of GNS to
support the healthcare system and
other national needs
- USA: 500,000 litres of GNS to be
supplied to meet local community
needs
- Brazil: Diageo’s Ypioca plant
will produce 50,000 litres of spirit
for the local healthcare system, in
conjunction with the Ceara State
Government.
- Kenya: Diageo’s East Africa
Breweries Ltd will enable production
of 135,000 litres of sanitiser,
prioritising vulnerable and at risk
groups.
- India: 500,000 litres of alcohol
to supply to the sanitizer industry
across 25 States, for use in
national healthcare systems and for
consumers.
- Australia: Diageo’s Bundaberg
Distilling Co. to produce 100,000
litres of ethanol for the Queensland
Government, to be forwarded to hand
sanitiser manufacturers.
"Healthcare workers are at the
forefront of fighting this pandemic and
we are determined to do what we can to
help protect them," said Ivan Menezes,
Chief Executive of Diageo. "This is the
quickest and most effective way for us
to meet the surging demand for hand
sanitiser around the world."
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