The 'war' against COVID-19 It does not give up but it is leading some very specific sectors to do their bit in these difficult times. Thus, at the initiative of variety of Spain hotels to offer the health authorities their rooms with Beds available for the sick, another idea arrives. But this time, from the sector of wineries and distilleries against the coronavirus, since several companies have already communicated their willingness to help in the preparation of disinfectant alcohol. As in the case of masks, this product is being demanded at levels impossible to cover by the usual productive chain. We tell you more here.
Urgent production change in Arehucas
In the group of wineries and distilleries against the coronavirus, highlights the participation of the Canarian company arehucas, In addition to making both rum and liqueurs, it is also dedicated to making alcohol for sanitary uses. Although given the current serious situation with the shortage existing of this product in our country, has decided to implement an urgent change. And it is that the company had this business path as a secondary one. It barely occupied a 5% of all its total production until the crisis of COVID-19. Like so many other groups, it has closed its facilities located in the town of Arucas (Gran Canaria) as a precaution towards its workers.
However, that decision has taken an important turn because from now on it is manufacturing that product that it had in the background. Both the stocks it already had ready to distribute and its ability to obtain new bottles of this sanitary alcohol they have put themselves at the service of a country that needs it. More than ever. In supermarkets and pharmacies, the Spanish population has swept him away. But public and private companies also need it in order to improve protection of your employees. In this context of going to buy it but it is already sold out, the Arehucas distillery wants to contribute by producing more.
"Almost no one has alcohol of this type"
Currently, this Canarian firm has 1,08 million liters of raw material to distill alcohol with which to obtain disinfectant gels and sanitary liquid. To this figure must be added the 53.000 liters of more than 96 degrees (for sanitary use), as well as about 10.000 liters of denatured alcohol that is used for antiseptic gels.
At the moment, your manager Carlos Iglesias has explained to EFE who are distributing said article in the islands but are going to start marketing it in the Peninsula. «There are no new manufacturers, almost nobody has alcohol of this type and it would be necessary to cultivate more cane to be able to manufacture more ”, has ensured. That would be a long process for today's dire need, but Iglesias sees the formula:
"This alcohol has a complex bureaucracy and control system, but if Health coordinates with the competent administrations, this product can be manufactured in 24 hours"
Three wineries and distilleries against the coronavirus
A famous brand of rum has also joined the Canarian firm -Bacardi- which will draw on the capacity of its largest center, located in Catano (Puerto Rico), to make alcohol. In total, you have calculated that you will be able to produce more than 1,7 million disinfectant units For hands. "Resilience, optimism and community are what will make us stronger," said Jorge Class, vice president of supply chain and manufacturing for Bacardi Latin America and the Caribbean.
Without a doubt, we are in a moment of joining all possible forces to defeat the disease. From another company of spirits they have shown their predisposition. It's about the French Pernod Ricard -Manufacturer of famous brands like Beefeater, Seagram's, Ruavieja or Ballantine's- which cedes its Spanish production plant. It is located in Manzanares (Ciudad Real). Closer to the main focus of coronavirus in our country -Madrid- is the production center of Nivea Spain, which also provides its facilities.
Finally, this solidarity list is joined by one of the great Spanish and world wineries: Jerez. Gonzalez Byass. Its technical and human resources at its plants in Chinchón (Madrid), Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz) and Tomelloso (Ciudad Real) will be devoted to the supply of alcoholic sanitary products. In this way, wineries and distilleries against the coronavirus, united for the same cause, they intend to contribute what they can.
