MECHELEN, BELGIUM — Cargill has expanded its donation of disinfecting alcohol in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. A total of 100,000 liters of disinfecting alcohol were donated to the Belgian government to produce disinfectant hand gel for emergency services.

Cargill said the donation contributes to the Civil Defense initiative, which takes care of the coordination of production and distribution. In the short term, this will solve the disinfecting gel shortage for emergency services such as the fire brigade, police, emergency centers and the Civil Protection itself. Subsequently, 15,000 liters per day can be supplied. The disinfecting alcohol is produced at the Cargill site in Sas van Gent in the Netherlands.

“Cargill delivers an essential service to the world – providing the ingredients, feed and food that nourish people and animals,” said Cis Van Doninck, chief financial officer of Cargill's Global Food Business. “We are working around the clock with farmers and our customers to feed the world safely and responsibly during this unprecedented time. Our eight Belgian plants are operating at full speed, and we are so grateful that every day our employees continue to produce the food people and animals need during this pandemic.”

In addition to the donation of alcohol, Cargill donated 228 protective Tyvek suits to the city of Vilvoorde, 600 protective jackets to the fire service of Walloon Picardy and 50 P3 masks to the Ghent University Hospital.

The company also is working with its non-profit and NGO partners around the globe to help address food shortages and emergency medical needs. Cargill has contributed nearly $4 million to support the communities in which its employees live and work. In addition to monetary donations, Cargill is collaborating with non-profits around the globe to donate food, ingredients and other products to address the needs of local communities.

“Cargill’s global and regional COVID-19 response is aligned with our purpose to nourish the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way,” the company said.

On March 24 Cargill donated 60,000 liters of disinfecting alcohol to the health sector in The Netherlands. The disinfecting alcohol was produced at Cargill’s Sas van Gent facility in Zeeland, The Netherlands, and it will be distributed to Dutch hospitals and health care institutions through the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport in The Netherlands.

Cargill is one of many companies that are committing support to fight against COVID-19.

On March 30, ADM committed $1 million to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The pledge includes commitments to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO), various regional and local charities focusing on COVID-19 in the areas where ADM operates, and matches to ADM employee contributions to COVID-19 relief and mitigation.

Atchison, Kansas, US-based MGP Ingredients has “ramped up” its industrial alcohol production to continue supplying US manufacturers hospital-grade hand sanitizers and disinfectants.

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