Lack of raw material worries alcohol gel manufacturers in the country

According to Abihpec's estimate, industry revenues with the product are expected to grow more than 10-fold in 2020 compared to 2019 Abihpec (Brazilian Association of Personal Hygiene, Perfumery and Cosmetics Industry) said that carbopol, the raw material used in the manufacture of alcohol gel, is missing worldwide and worries national industries with the advance of coronavirus. "The sector has made successive efforts to meet everyone's need, but there is this apprehension with carbopol, responsible for turning alcohol into gel. It is a raw material that is missing worldwide", explained the ceo of Abihpec, João Carlos Basilio. According to him, "medium and small companies, which are the main responsible for the supply of the product, are resonating themselves in the face of the crisis." According to the association, the estimated sales of consumer sales of alcohol gel in 2020 could exceed by up to 10 times that recorded in 2019, going from a turnover of R$ 100 million to R$ 1 billion. To facilitate the replenishment of retail stocks, Abihpec suggested to Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) to simplify the regularization procedure of the category "antiseptic gel". "Our demonstration continues in negotiation with the Agency, which recently announced that it will prioritize the analysis of processes for registration of antiseptic gels for hands, bleach and disinfectants for general and hospital use, committing to release the products in a maximum of one week, something that typically takes an average of 180 days," basilio said. The manufacturers' association recommends that consumers not stock alcohol gel, essential for the prevention against coronavirus infection, at risk of leaving others without access to the product.