Members of the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation (APMF) are ready to redeploy their manufacturing operations to meet unprecedented Government and community demand for hospital grade hand sanitiser.

The APMF has written to the Federal Government to offer its support in national efforts to co-ordinate and accelerate production of items essential to reducing the spread of Coronavirus.

APMF Executive Officer Bernard Lee said domestic paint manufacturers are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to demand for hand sanitisers.

“Many of our members already have the strategic and operational capacity to start producing products like hand sanitiser,” he said.

“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.”

“Several APMF members already have stocks of the necessary raw materials and are willing to use these to make hand sanitiser.”

“Our members stand ready to assist in the fight against COVID-19 and we look forward to working with Federal and State Governments to meet demand for these critical products.”

The Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation represents the paint and coatings industry, which is a vital part of Australia’s industrial manufacturing base.

Anti-bacterial and easily cleaned coatings are used in hospitals, aged care centres and other key contact points to help prevent and control bacteria and associated illnesses.  Coatings are also used in the manufacture other essential items, including ventilators, medical equipment, PPE and food grade packaging and containers.