In an effort to help meet the high demand for hand sanitizer, Owensboro Grain is refining glycerin — a product used to make sanitizer — from soybean oil. The company is donating that glycerin to local distilleries, where the hand sanitizer is created and distributed.
Executive Vice President John Wright said the production of pharmaceutical-grade glycerin is a new venture for Owensboro Grain, and the idea to create and donate the product stemmed directly from the spread of COVID-19.
“Our intention [has always been] to donate,” Wright said. “There are so many homeless shelters in need of sanitizer right now.”
When Owensboro Grain received the completed hand sanitizer product from one of the companies they donated glycerin to, they took “boxes and boxes” of hand sanitizer bottles to the Daniel Pitina Shelter right away.
Each hand sanitizer uses a different formula for their product, but the glycerin being created by Owensboro Grain gives it the thick, gooey consistency that’s similar to aloe gel. Distilleries such as O.Z. Tyler and Glenmore are able to mix their alcohol-based products with glycerin for a final product.
“It helps to lubricate your hands, instead of having the alcohol drying them out, ” Wright added.
Wright called the partnership between Owensboro Grain and the distilleries “unusual” in that the entities had never worked together before. But this newfound partnership is working out very well, he said, and at a time when working together for the greater good is of the utmost importance.
Wright said Owensboro Grain has sold glycerin to one company so far, who will then sell the hand sanitizer commercially.
Owensboro Grain is currently developing glycerin concurrently with their usual array of products, and Wright said his company will continue to produce glycerin throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As long as the need is there,” he said.
—–
Click here for all of our coronavirus coverage.
The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
