So many of the world’s biggest beauty and personal care multinationals have re-structured their businesses to manufacture hand sanitisers that websites and publications would have to post or publish a constant flow of information.
All companies that manufacture fragrances such as Coty, LVMH, the owner of Christian Dior, Fendi and Givenchy, L’Oréal and Estée Lauder have plenty of alcohol on hand. They are simply re-positioning their resources to make hand sanitisers, which medical experts recommend should have an alcohol content of 60 per cent to be truly effective.
There’s been a strong focus on the rise of indie cosmetic brands in recent years, but the biggest names in the business remain dominant. Only 19 multinationals worldwide account for 90 per cent of global beauty and personal care revenues. They can and are doing the most to combat the Covid-19 virus and help communities.
- L’Oréal – The world’s largest beauty company has inaugurated a European Coronavirus Solidarity Program and expanded production of hand sanitisers through core brands such as La Roche-Posay and Garnier. Financial donations include US$250,000 to its Feeding America campaign, US$720,000 to the Chinese Red Cross and one million euros (US$1. 02 million) to non-profit organisations in Europe.
- Estée Lauder – One of the world’s biggest pure-play prestige beauty companies has re-worked its factory in Melville, New York, to produce cleansing gel for regular consumers. Donations include US$2 million to Doctors Without Borders, US$75 million to support New York’s vital social services and community organisations and US$800,000 to Chinese relief organisations, including Give2Asia.
- Unilever – The Anglo-Dutch parent of super brands, including Dove and Tresemmé , has pledged US$20 million in products and services to United for America program. The company is also donating 200,000 masks to local hospitals in New Jersey, the location of its US headquarters. Worldwide, Unilever will contribute 50 million euros (US$55.3 million) worth of soaps and sanitisers to the Covid Action Platform of the World Economic Forum. The multinational will also offer 500 million euros ($553.7 million) in cash flow relief, including early payment and extended credit for small-to-medium suppliers.
- Johnson & Johnson – The maker of Neutrogena and Aveeno is an R&D and scientific powerhouse and is working on the development of a potential vaccine for Covid-19. The company was also involved in extensive research to combat the Ebola virus. Band-Aid is another power brand in the J&J portfolio and the company has donated 48,000 of branded isopropyl alcohol. Donations also include one million renminbi ( US$140,916) to the Chinese Red Cross and J&J China.
- Procter & Gamble – Home to major skin, hair and grooming brands such as Olay, Pantene and Gillette, P&G has donated US$15 million in products and support and is poised to give more. The multinational has implemented new production lines at five of its factories worldwide with the goal of manufacturing 45,000 litres of hand sanitiser per week over the next month.