Huntsman to Make Hand Sanitizer at Alabama Site

American chemicals firm Huntsman Corporation announced Monday that its McIntosh, AL specialty chemicals plant has started producing hand sanitizer after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put out temporary guidelines allowing the company to manufacture the products there. 

The company intends to donate the first 5 tn of product to workers treating patiens with COVID-19 at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and affiliated University of Utah medical facilities. 

“We thank the FDA for moving swiftly to issue the temporary guidelines that have enabled us to fast-track our production and distribution of much-needed hand sanitizer in the US,” Huntsman President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Huntsman said in a company press release. 

Huntsman is sourcing isopropyl alcohol (IPA) for the production of hand sanitizer from LyondellBasell. The Dutch chemical company also donated IPA for the first shipment to medical facilities. 

“This is a critical time where the public and private sectors can work hand-in-hand to help safeguard health care workers,” said Bob Patel, chief executive officer of LyondellBasell, in a statement. “We are proud to have played a role in the fight against this pandemic.”

On March 23, Huntsman said it will begin manufacturing hydro alcoholic solution for hand sanitizer production at a plant in Switzerland. 

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