Olefins and polyolefins giant Ineos said late last week it would take immediate action, beginning Mar. 16, to limit the spread of the coronavirus Covid-19 among its staff and “ensure the continued operation of its plants and businesses through the coming weeks and months.”

Measures the Swiss-headquartered group “as a manufacturer of essential materials “will implement will include office staff working from home, other than in exceptional circumstances, as well as a ban on travel.

In its offices and plants, Ineos has mandated that all employees maintain one-meter distance to one another, practice rigorous use of hand-gels and surface cleansers, restrict visits to plants and offices and cancel group events. Plans also include changes to site-cleaning regimes and postponement of non-essential work at sites.

Chairman Jim Ratcliffe said the chemical producer’s responsibility and its focus amid the rapidly evolving Covid-19 pandemic is to “ensure the plants that we run, which produce products essential to everyday life, including the healthcare sector, remain operational, with the safety of our employees the number one priority.”

Ratcliffe added that Ineos will continue to review the situation and make all necessary adjustments to minimize the impact of the crisis on its global business.

The group’s global production network spans 171 facilities in 24 countries.

BASF to produce more disinfectants

In response to the growing shortage of disinfectants in its German headquarters state of Rhineland-Palatinate, BASF has reportedly agreed to produce more hand sanitizer and disinfectant chemicals, mainly for clinical use, state health minister Sabine Bätzing-Lichtenthäler said on Sunday.

As is the case in other countries in the grip of Covid-2019, disinfectants are also in short supply in the German private sector, due in part to hoarding.