Huntsman Rotterdam Site Welcomes Queen Maxima to Mark Success of COVID-19 Breathalyzer Testing
April 8, 2021
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands - Employees at Huntsman’s Rotterdam facility were treated to a special visit from Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on Wednesday in recognition of the success of a pilot program implemented to conduct rapid tests for COVID-19.
In coordination with the 40-day shutdown of our polyurethane chemical facilities at the Port of Rotterdam for turnaround activities, nearly 1,000 external contractors are on site daily at the Huntsman facility. In addition to the existing protective measures in already in place at the facility, an extra layer of protection was added to prevent the spread of infection and ensure COVID-19 cases remain under control. Coined “Operation Fastlane,” Huntsman worked with the Dutch government to set up four test streets and became the only site in the Netherlands to administer breathalyzer tests around the clock for coronavirus. Personnel are screened every 48 hours and receive instant results from their breath tests, which has prevented outbreaks among staff and ensured a safe and healthy environment at the Rotterdam facility.
The device, developed by Dutch company Breathomix, functions like an electric nose and can quickly detect when users are not infected with the coronavirus. It does not detect the virus itself, but instead captures the changes in human breath when it is fighting infection. From start to finish, the process takes two to three minutes, creating an efficient and effective screen for illness in personnel entering the facility.
“The Rotterdam site has been proactive in introducing systems for identifying and protecting the site from the threat of COVID-19 over the last year,” said Kal Khogali, Rotterdam Site Director. “To have the Queen recognize our efforts speaks to the tremendous work done by the team on the ground to safeguard both health and our critical operations.”
The site celebrated with a short ceremony with the Queen and served traditional Dutch cookies to mark the occasion.
About Huntsman:
Huntsman Corporation is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals with 2020 revenues of approximately $6 billion. Our chemical products number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. We operate more than 70 manufacturing, R&D and operations facilities in approximately 30 countries and employ approximately 9,000 associates within our four distinct business divisions. For more information about Huntsman, please visit the company's website at www.huntsman.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements:
Certain information in this release constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Huntsman companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, volatile global economic conditions, cyclical and volatile product markets, disruptions in production at manufacturing facilities, reorganization or restructuring of Huntsman's operations, including any delay of, or other negative developments affecting the ability to implement cost reductions, timing of proposed transactions, and manufacturing optimization improvements in Huntsman businesses and realize anticipated cost savings, and other financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.
Released April 8, 2021