Making a Difference in the Global Pandemic
Social responsibility took on new meaning during the 2020 global pandemic. At Huntsman, we have always maintained unwavering focus on the health and safety of our associates, suppliers, customers and communities. We took immediate measures to ensure our associates had a safe work environment, from implementing remote working arrangements for employees to taking preventative measures in the workplace to reduce exposure. We also worked with our suppliers, taking steps to minimize impacts on our operations in support of our customers. Additionally, we donated products and expertise to support those on the front lines of the pandemic.
In early March 2020, as the pandemic spread across the globe and created a shortage of medical supplies needed to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Huntsman ramped up its production of products required for protective masks and suits, as well as produced hand sanitizer for medical facilities around the world.
Huntsman produces thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) for manufacturers of essential medical personal protective equipment (PPE), including hospital gowns, face masks, mattress covers, tubes, valves, cable jackets and powered air purifying respirators, which are used in ICUs to treat those with critical cases of the virus.
Huntsman also makes a number of textile products that meet the broad spectrum for repellency requirements of face masks and PPE. In Indonesia, we supported the Indonesia Textile Association’s efforts to address the critical shortage of medical supplies in the county. Huntsman donated 1,000 kilograms of PHOBOTEX® REC, a durable water repellent finish for textiles, to Kahatex, a leading textile mill in Indonesia, for the production of face masks and other PPE. In collaboration with the University of Indonesia, Huntsman manufactured and donated a total of 24 metric tons of hand sanitizer for distribution to hospitals, health centers and health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
Huntsman also produced and donated hand sanitizer from other manufacturing sites around the world as part of our international COVID-19 response. In the US, Huntsman donated a 5-ton shipment of hand sanitizer to Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and the associated medical facilities at the University of Utah to help protect health care workers treating COVID-19 patients. The University of Utah is the home of HCI, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that was established with a major philanthropic gift by the late Jon M. Huntsman, founder of Huntsman Corporation.
In Switzerland, Huntsman produced approximately 120 metric tons of hand sanitizer for hospitals and pharmacies facing increased shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and constrained supply of the product. In Australia, our Deer Park manufacturing site near Melbourne produced 15 metric tons of hand sanitizer for use by medical facilities to help meet the supply shortage.
In China, the company donated the raw materials used to manufacture prefabricated panels for the construction of hospitals and spandex needed for the production of medical protective articles.
Huntsman’s global footprint enabled global support as the world battled the COVID-19 virus together.