Wollaston firm launches new thickener for alcohol-based hand cleansers to help global effort

A Wollaston firm has launched a new thickener for alcohol-based hand cleansers to help the global effort against coronavirus.

In just 10 days, chemical manufacturer Scott Bader has developed and brought to market a new thickener for alcohol-based hand cleansers.

By acting so quickly to develop Texicryl® 13-321, manufacturers will be able to produce more hand cleansers to fight against the global spread of infections and viruses including COVID-19.

Group product manager, Mark Stanion said: “In less than a month, we have taken a concept from lab to full scale production.

"We are pleased that we have been able to use our expertise to develop a product that is in short supply and will have a significant impact on the provision of hand cleansers.”

Thanks to the joint efforts of Scott Bader colleagues from across the business, particularly the operations and pilot plant teams for making material available at such short notice,

the first delivery of Texicryl® 13-321 reached its customer this week.

Scott Bader is a global chemical company employing almost 700 people across six manufacturing sites and 13 offices, including its site in Wollaston.

The company's sites in the UK and France are currently considered to be part of the critical infrastructure by their respective governments.

Products manufactured at both sites are sold into a number of key markets including medical equipment, medical and food packaging, hand cleansers, water infrastructure, transport and energy.

Scott Bader said colleagues who can work from home are now doing so.

Colleagues on-site are doing their utmost to follow government guidelines of staying at least two metres apart and regularly washing their hands.