By: Hans Nauta, editor of Economics – Trouw
Photo: Reyer Boxem
Hooghoudt, the Groningen distiller from 1888, will supply disinfectant alcohol to the healthcare sector. The first orders are from Ambulance Care Groningen and TSN Thuiszorg. “We expect this to be just the beginning. There are more interested parties,” says CEO Arno Donkersloot. The family business is in contact with the University Medical Center Groningen, among others.
The idea came from master distiller Frank Leystra. He saw no disinfectants in the wholesale market and wondered: why couldn't we make them ourselves? By now it is Hooghoudt ready to produce. The regular production of jenever, herbal bitters and liqueurs has decreased due to the falling demand in the catering industry. Due to the corona crisis, there is a shortage on the market for disinfection alcohol, says Donkersloot. “We see that extortionate prices are emerging and we want to counter that by offering disinfectants at normal cost prices.”
What is actually in a disinfectant? Leystra: “We use the simple and reliable formula that the World Health Organization (WHO) has published for when there is a shortage of disinfectants due to the corona virus. Disinfectants consist of 80 percent alcohol, with hydrogen peroxide and glycerin, so that the skin does not dry out.”
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