LVMH has started manufacturing hand sanitiser at three of its perfume and cosmetics factories to donate to French hospitals desperately fighting the country’s coronavirus outbreak.
The Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain and Parfums Givenchy factories will no longer manufacture fragrance and makeup but will instead be producing as much sanitiser as possible to meet the soaring demand.
It’s estimated the French luxury brands will produce 12 tonnes of sanitiser this week.
A statement shared by Parfums Christian Dior on LinkedIn read:
“In these challenging times, we are all mobilized to fight against Covid-19. Given the risk of a shortage of hydroalcoholic gel, LVMH has started to use the production facilities of all its Perfumes & Cosmetics brands in France – Parfums Christian Dior, Guerlain and Parfums Givenchy – to produce large quantities of it. The gel is being delivered free of charge to the French health authorities and to the AP-HP, Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, starting today. LVMH will honor this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities.”
Paris hospitals chief Martine Hirsch told AFP he wanted to “thank LVMH for acting so quickly”.
Like many countries around the world, France is struggling to keep up with demand of consumers panic-buying and stockpiling goods such as hand sanitisers and soap.
LVMH also owns beauty brands Benefit Cosmetics, KVD Vegan Beauty, Marc Jacobs Beauty and more.