Gull New Zealand has now released a total of 340,000 litres of ethanol from Gull stocks after it has been confirmed and approved for use as hand sanitiser for protection of New Zealanders against Covid-19.

Gull general manager Dave Bodger says its ethanol was officially ‘fuel grade‘ so it had to be tested to ensure it met the requirement for hand sanitiser production.

“I was ecstatic when informed our ethanol could be used to help New Zealanders and Gull staff are over the moon. We will be releasing our ethanol supplies to our New Zealand supplier Lactanol, a Fonterra subsidiary, for distribution through their established channels immediately.”

Bodger says hand sanitiser is not Gull‘s business, but the company understand that this massive volume of ethanol can produce over 950,000 half-litre jars of hand sanitiser.

“This, along with other companies repurposing ethanol stocks, should see a very large dint being made in the shortage that New Zealand is currently experiencing.”

Bodger adds that after taking many calls from manufacturers it was an easy decision for Gull to make.

“We understand that manufacturers can begin production almost immediately once they receive the ethanol product from our Mount Maunganui storage. My best guess is those in need may start to see additional hand sanitiser supplies in about a week.”

Bodger says Gull‘s release of its bulk ethanol supplies may leave the company exposed on the blend stock for its premium grade Gull Force 10, but that will be several months away, and Gull has options on importing other supplies.

“The key thing for the Gull staff when we discussed this is that there is no petrol shortage and we want to join New Zealand to unite against Covid-19 in a new and different way, by releasing this product to become something all Kiwis desperately need at this uncertain and stressful time in our lives.”