Firm diversifies into manufacturing rubbing alcohol to aid in COVID-19 response

Gokongwei-led snack food giant Universal Robina Corporation (URC) said Tuesday it is diversifying into making pharmaceutical-grade rubbing alcohol in a bid to support the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, URC said its Agro-Industrial & Commodities Division is introducing two alcohol brands to the market, namely Shield+ and BioSure.

The company said the alcohol brands were made to provide consumers a variety of choices to suit individual preferences, as purchase behavior for this category has evolved due to the new normal.

URC La Carlota Distillery in Negros Occidental, part of URC’s Sugar and Renewables (SURE) unit, will supply the alcohol ingredient in the long term.

“This is aligned with our core values of looking after the Filipino community, in light of the ongoing pandemic. We have the capability, and we want to help. There’s demand out there. It just makes sense,” said Vincent Go, managing director of URC Agro-Industrial Group.

Go said the pandemic has led to high demand for hygiene and sanitation products, including rubbing alcohol. 

“That demand will likely remain, even after the pandemic subsides,” he said.

The Shield+ brand will roll out to retail stores starting December 2020. 

It will be available in different sizes, from a 60ml bottle for everyday commutes, to a gallon container for home and industrial use, according to URC.

Shield+ will also be available in two scents —Aqua Clean and Pink Fresh.

Meanwhile, URC said it started distributing BioSure to its growing community stores such as Kabalikat Village Hubs and institutions early November and will distribute to its agri-dealers nationwide by December this year.

The naturally-sourced ethyl alcohol is available in 500-ml, 1-liter and 1-gallon bottles.

URC is engaged in an array of food-related businesses, including the production and distribution of branded consumer snack foods and beverages; commodities such as sugar and flour; and agro-industrial businesses.

It is widely-known for popular food and beverage brands such as Great Taste, Chippy, C2, Cream-O, Cloud 9 and Robina Farms. -MDM, GMA News