Rio Tinto aluminium laboratories turn into temporary hand sanitiser development centres to combat COVID19

In addition to the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) at Tiwai Point, Rio Tinto’s other aluminium laboratories such as its Tasmania’s Bell Bay site, the Yarwun refinery in Gladstone have all become the temporary hand sanitiser development hotspots. The mining giant aims to ease the demand for hand sanitiser products during the COVID19 pandemic, as well as to help prevent the spread among its own staff.

With such aims, Rio Tinto Aluminium has transformed its laboratory spaces in Australia and New Zealand into spaces for chemists and researchers to develop sanitiser.

The laboratories are making the sanitiser by following the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards, ensuring the utmost safety and cleanliness.

While it’s been already reported that the NZAS team has produced 103 litres of sanitiser, teams at Yawrun and Bell Bay have developed 5-litres test batch. Besides, Bell Bay has sourced the required ethanol and started manufacturing extra 75-litres.

“Our priority is the wellbeing of our people and the communities where we operate,” Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific operations managing director Kellie Parker said.

He added, “Using the knowledge of our teams to develop hand sanitiser in our laboratories can help protect Rio Tinto workers and reduce the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, (this) eases the strain on supply for the local community.”