Paint producer group puts hand up for Covid-19 response

The Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation has said its members are ready and able to redeploy factory lines to produce hospital-grade hand sanitiser used in combating the spread of Covid-19.

A statement from the group – which is managed by Chemistry Australia and which has members including Dulux Australia and PPG Industries – said it had written to the federal government to offer support for “national efforts to co-ordinate and accelerate production” of sanitiser.

The paint and coatings industry group said its members could redeploy factories to meet demand from governments and communities. Executive officer Bernard Lee said paint makers were well-placed to respond, with the strategic and operational capacity needed and many of the group’s members possessing the necessary raw materials.

“Their plants are set up to mix large batches of raw materials, they have the necessary regulatory licences, and their work forces are trained and experienced with the handling of the raw materials in a manufacturing environment,” said Lee.

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