At a time when the shortage of hydro-alcoholic disinfectant gel is hitting many countries around the world, Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of plant proteins, has adapted one of its pilot lines at its site in Lestrem, France, to manufacture a hydro-alcoholic disinfectant solution. 

The production started last week and the first shipment has now been sent, free of charge, to the Lille University Hospital Center, to the French Blood Donors Organization and to other local health facilities, in coordination with the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency and the local authorities.

While this type of solution is not usually produced by the company, it has adjusted one of its R&D pilot units in Lestrem and obtained the required regulatory approvals to produce the hydro-alcoholic solution.

The company will produce 5,000 litre of this solution per week as a first step. 

Some 500 litre will be used internally to strengthen the existing measures put in place to protect employees and contractors working at the company’s sites.

This will allow the continuity of their operations, critical to ensure the supply of plant-based ingredients to food and pharmaceutical markets. 

Some 4,000 litre will be distributed every week, free of charge, to the Lille University Hospital Center and 500 litres will address the needs of the French Blood Donors Organization and the healthcare workers of other local health facilities.

This engagement will be maintained for as long as necessary in alignment with the instructions of health authorities.

“At Roquette we think that, more than ever, we all have to join forces and help each other to address this global crisis. With this initiative, we wish to take part in the collective effort to support those who are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic every day,” says Jean-Marc Gilson, CEO of Roquette.

“We are proud and pleased to contribute, at our scale, to the support of healthcare workers. All our employees are committed to this mission and thanks to their efforts we have been able to launch this initiative and are already thinking about the possibility of increasing the production,” adds Jean-Marc Corpart, the head of this project from the Roquette R&D team.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has generated a massive demand in hydroalcoholic solution. Since the beginning of the crisis, and thanks to the commitment of the health professionals and to the mobilisation of the students in pharmacy, the Lille University Hospital Center has been engaged in the preparation and the packing of around 2,000 litre of hydro alcoholic solution per day. It helps address the needs of the health providers and of all professionals implied in our hospital, as well as around 20 healthcare centres in the North of France,” said Pascal Odou, Chief of the Lille University Hospital Pharmacy.

“The Lille University Hospital Centre is really pleased to rely on the support of Roquette which contributes to answer those significant needs, “ he added.