Manufacturing firm, Ineos is to build a hand sanitiser plant near Middlesbrough to produce one million bottles a month within 10 days, the company has announced.
Chemicals giant Ineos said the plat will open in a matter of weeks - and will help manage a UK-wide shortage of the product.
The company said the site near Middlesbrough will be ready within 10 days, adding that products will be given to hospitals free of charge.
Ineos said it intends to produce both standard and the pocket bottle hand sanitisers, and is already talking to retail outlets across Europe.
A further factory will be opened in Germany to help manage demand abroad.
The company already manufactures a range of healthcare products, including rubber gloves, PVC saline drips, syringes, ventilators and medical tubing.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, founder and chairman of Ineos, said: "Ineos is a company with enormous resources and manufacturing skills.
"If we can find other ways to help in the coronavirus battle, we are absolutely committed to playing our part."
Ineos has already donated its stock of 200 industrial face masks to frontline healthcare workers in Belgium.
The company said it is crucial that everyone pulls together during his difficult time.
