Ethanol for Hand Sanitizer
Donation protected
Help me to make high quality ethanol for making safe hand sanitizer.
In April I pivoted my business from printing and signage to manufacturing hand sanitizer.
There were some challenges to start - packaging was in short supply but with a little perseverance and some negotiating, I managed to source bottles, lids and labels.
I received Health Canada approval to sell my products, I established relationships with suppliers, I set a fair price, and I launched a website.
The orders for Akinad hand sanitizer came in right away, and I happily filled them. I was back in business – and helping to stop the spread of COVID-19!
Then in May there was a global ethanol supply shortage and my suppliers told me that they could only sell “technical-grade ethanol” to small businesses like mine. In case you didn’t know, hand-sanitizer is made with ethanol. Have you noticed how hard it is to get hand-sanitizer right now? It’s not because people are hoarding it like they did toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic. It’s because we are buying it faster than the world can make it.
So, I did some research, and it turns out that hand sanitizers made with technical-grade ethanol must be identified and carry specific directions for use and warnings because the lower grade product is known to contain carcinogens.
If I use technical grade ethanol in my hand-sanitizer, I have to warn people that it is intended for adult use only, that they should not be used on broken or damaged skin, should not be inhaled, and could not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also, technical-grade ethanol stinks. It literally smells like gasoline (yuck!)
Worse, hand sanitizer with technical grade ethanol has been on the market for 2 months and already people don’t want to use it.
1. CBC News
2. The Record
3. CTV News
4. CBC News
Now I have a dilemma. I’m down to my last 15 litres of high-quality ethanol, and I don’t want to make my product with the dirty and unsafe technical grade ethanol.
Then I realize there is an “easy” solution; I can make ethanol! Humans have been doing this for thousands of years – why can’t I?
So, I did some more research. Once I amend my ethanol user license to spirit manufacturer’s licence I will be able to purchase fermentation and distillation equipment to make clean. high-quality, food-grade ethanol. Then I can get back to making safe hand sanitizer – as well as help increase Canada’s national ethanol supply.
I have already invested significantly to re-tool my business to manufacture hand-sanitizer, and I have exhausted every possible Provincial and Federal loan and grant program I can find. None of Government programs will lend to businesses to start making ethanol, they are only helping already established ethanol producers to increase production.
So, that is why I have set-up this GoFundMe campaign – to raise the final $60,000 I need to purchase the new equipment and make this happen.
Right now, Canada needs hand-sanitizer to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic. This is why I need your help. Please help me to make high quality ethanol for making safe hand-sanitizer.
In April I pivoted my business from printing and signage to manufacturing hand sanitizer.
There were some challenges to start - packaging was in short supply but with a little perseverance and some negotiating, I managed to source bottles, lids and labels.
I received Health Canada approval to sell my products, I established relationships with suppliers, I set a fair price, and I launched a website.
The orders for Akinad hand sanitizer came in right away, and I happily filled them. I was back in business – and helping to stop the spread of COVID-19!
Then in May there was a global ethanol supply shortage and my suppliers told me that they could only sell “technical-grade ethanol” to small businesses like mine. In case you didn’t know, hand-sanitizer is made with ethanol. Have you noticed how hard it is to get hand-sanitizer right now? It’s not because people are hoarding it like they did toilet paper in the early days of the pandemic. It’s because we are buying it faster than the world can make it.
So, I did some research, and it turns out that hand sanitizers made with technical-grade ethanol must be identified and carry specific directions for use and warnings because the lower grade product is known to contain carcinogens.
If I use technical grade ethanol in my hand-sanitizer, I have to warn people that it is intended for adult use only, that they should not be used on broken or damaged skin, should not be inhaled, and could not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also, technical-grade ethanol stinks. It literally smells like gasoline (yuck!)
Worse, hand sanitizer with technical grade ethanol has been on the market for 2 months and already people don’t want to use it.
1. CBC News
2. The Record
3. CTV News
4. CBC News
Now I have a dilemma. I’m down to my last 15 litres of high-quality ethanol, and I don’t want to make my product with the dirty and unsafe technical grade ethanol.
Then I realize there is an “easy” solution; I can make ethanol! Humans have been doing this for thousands of years – why can’t I?
So, I did some more research. Once I amend my ethanol user license to spirit manufacturer’s licence I will be able to purchase fermentation and distillation equipment to make clean. high-quality, food-grade ethanol. Then I can get back to making safe hand sanitizer – as well as help increase Canada’s national ethanol supply.
I have already invested significantly to re-tool my business to manufacture hand-sanitizer, and I have exhausted every possible Provincial and Federal loan and grant program I can find. None of Government programs will lend to businesses to start making ethanol, they are only helping already established ethanol producers to increase production.
So, that is why I have set-up this GoFundMe campaign – to raise the final $60,000 I need to purchase the new equipment and make this happen.
Right now, Canada needs hand-sanitizer to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic. This is why I need your help. Please help me to make high quality ethanol for making safe hand-sanitizer.
Organizer
Shawn Ragbar
Organizer