In Italy, Versalis S.p.A, a subsidiary of oil, gas, and energy major Eni S.p.A has launched a new line to produce liquid ethanol-derived hand disinfectant marketed under the brand name "Invix" at its plant in Crescentino in Vercelli, Piedmont, to meet the growing demand as a result of the current health situation across the nation. The bioethanol is produced at the Crescentino cellulosic ethanol plant, which has been adapted to temporarily use corn glucose syrup as feedstock.
The disinfectant, which has been developed based on the formulation provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health, is based on bioethanol produced at the Crescentino plant.
Acquired by Versalis in November 2018 and undergone an overhaul, the cellulosic ethanol biorefinery is designed to process residual biomass as feedstock but has been adapted to temporarily use corn glucose syrup as a raw material to cope with current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic situation.
The product acts as an effective disinfectant, thanks to the alcohol and hydrogen peroxide content, and as an emollient, because of its glycerine content. The new range of Invix disinfectants will soon be expanded to include gel and surface sanitizing products.
According to Versalis, several tonnes of disinfectants have already been delivered to the Piedmont Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) and the Civil Defence service of the Piedmont Region thanks to the collaboration of the Italian National Customs Agency and its Vercelli department.
