Energy Firm POET Manufacturing Ethanol-Based Sanitizer

Biofuels producer POET has started to manufacture all-natural ethanol-based sanitizer at its Chancellor, SD biorefinery in response to a shortage of sanitizer products that was created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sioux Falls, SD firm said in a release this week.

“Frontline workers are facing risks every day to keep our communities safe from COVID-19, and we all need to do our part,” the company’s chief executive officer and founder, Jeff Broin, said in a release. “At POET, we saw an opportunity to help our community while living our mission – to be good stewards of the Earth by converting renewable resources to valuable goods – and created an all-natural ethanol-based sanitizer product.”

POET plans to donate 220 gal of sanitizer to the City of Sioux Falls and 780 16 oz. bottles of sanitizer to the South Dakota Health Care Coalition. The groups will then distribute the products to first responders, healthcare personnel, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other people working to fight against COVID-19. 

“A great strength of the American economy is its ability to adapt. I am grateful POET has shifted production to much needed hand sanitizer for first responders, including Sioux Falls police, fire rescue, and EMS personnel,” a statement by Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken said. 

The company currently operates 28 production plants in seven states. 

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POET joins several other major companies that have converted their facilities to produce hand sanitizer, including BASF, Huntsman, Dow, and INEOS.