The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Arbroath chemical firm looks to clean up
Only company in Scotland that makes vital ingredient for sanitiser gel
An Arbroath-based chemical production company has revealed plans to produce up to 340 tonnes of hand sanitiser a month.
Stakam has converted a third of its production capacity to hand sanitiser gel in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based at Elliot Business Park, Stakam is the only chemical company in Scotland producing the essential polymer component acrylates copolymer, which is added to hand sanitiser to improve its texture and ease of use.
Without the thickening agent, sanitiser exists in liquid form, which can result in mess and wastage. Stakam also produces other raw materials required to produce sanitiser.
The Angus firm began production of its sanitiser in March as the crisis unfolded.
It is now looking to ramp up production to help companies across Scotland and the UK get back to work safely.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, the main producer of the polymer component was a US firm that has since diverted its supplies from around the world to the US, resulting in a global shortage.
Founder and managing director Alistair Watson said: “Our team has managed to embrace change and been able to offer something worthwhile at this point in time.
“By switching our production, we are not only providing an essential product to businesses and organisations across Scotland, but as a result have not been required to furlough staff members and have actually increased headcount by a third to support our new activity.”
Stakam was established in 2016 with the aim of being a manufacturing company free from production constraints.
It crafts chemicals to client-specific requirements and then scales up production to meet demand.
It recently expanded its operation to the Elliot Industrial Estate, Arbroath, following two major contract wins valued at £1.48 million.
Stakam manufactures and supplies products into the oil and gas sector as well as polymers for the construction industry.
Some 10% of all profits from sales of the sanitiser will be donated to the foodbank run by Broughty Ferry Baptist Church.