A BODELWYDDAN chemical firm has secured a deal to provide vital supplies to the world to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Bodelwyddan Business Park based McKLords, manufacturers of SurSol hand sanitiser, has seen demand skyrocket since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic.

An extra 30 people from the area have been employed as production has been ramped up to meet the surge in demand, resulting in an expansion programme at their site, the first stage of which, has already been completed.

Sarah Lord, director of McKLords said “In a typical year at McKLords, we would see orders of around six million bottles per year, but since the beginning of March, this already increased to in excess of 15 million and the demand has continued to grow.”

SurSol is one of the few alcohol-free hand sanitisers, which unlike alcohol-based versions, offers up to 4-hour protection, does not dry the skin out and does not cause such problems as dermatitis with prolonged use.

The alcohol-free, non-flammable nature of the SurSol range has been embraced by Sunil Patel director of Spartan Safety Limited, suppliers of PPE and workwear to UK rail, public transport, and construction sectors

He said: “We’ve seen and heard some horror stories about alcohol based hand sanitiser coming into the country causing fires so being able to ensure the safety of our customers and providing a product that works has been key for us”

McKLords have also secured a trade partnership with Amer Awan, son of multi-millionaire businessman and philanthropist, Nazir Awan, who died from Coronavirus in April 2020.

Amer is the co-owner, alongside his late father, of global wholesaler Awan International and has welcomed McKLords’ development programme of extending the SurSol range to include not just hand sanitiser, but face mask, garment and surface disinfectants, helping to protect some of the more vulnerable people, including the BAME community.

Mr Awan said;“I am exceptionally proud to be working alongside McKLords in developing and promoting the products globally. When we came to realise what they have on offer, my father and I both saw the opportunity, firstly supporting a UK based company and secondly, the fact that they were using alcohol free products.

"We know that some faiths do not like to use products containing alcohol and also the fact that many people would not like to use such products on children.

"Since the passing of my father due to Coronavirus, I have put extra time and effort in helping to increase the range and push these to the British public and abroad helping to keep people protected.”

"Together with McKLords, we believe that these products are a major breakthrough in the market in helping to combat this deadly pandemic.”