Epichem's handy move

Bentley-based manufacturer Epichem will be pumping out a new supply of hand sanitiser to cover a shortfall in the local healthcare industry.

The company is a subsidiary of PharmAust Australia, an ASX-listed business, and is one of the state’s biggest suppliers of chemicals for medical purposes.

Hand sanitiser will be a new venture, however.

It is the latest business to step up manufacturing of a product that is becoming like liquid gold on supermarket shelves across the world, as demand skyrockets during the COVID-19 pandemic..

Chief executive Colin La Galia told Business News Epichem would be using pharmacy grade inputs to produce the sanitiser, which would make it appropriate for medical purposes.

Mr La Galia said the sanitiser will be donated to the local medical industry and aged care providers.

"How much we produce will depend on raw materials,” he said.

“We’ll make as much as we possibly can.”

The company was working to source ethanol and isopropyl which is in high demand globally as many countries grapple with similar problems.

Epichem would also be working with local distilleries to purify their products, Mr La Galia said.

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate leadership, share our capability and expertise, and contribute to our community in their time of need,” he said.

“Not all heroes wear capes, some wear lab coats.”

Whipper Snapper Distillery is among other businesses moving into sanitiser production.