PUP invents their locally-made version of Ethyl Alcohol

Photo Courtesy: Manila Bulletin

Due to the shortage of alcohol and saniters because of the rapid spread of novel coronovirus outbreak, The Polytechnic University of the Philippines' has created a local version of ethyl alcohol. PUP Institute for Science and Technology Research (ISTR) developed and tested the first batch of the localized ethyl alcohol on March 11, following the requirements and standards of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to PUP, Larger batches were expected to be done once raw materials to be used for mass production of the alcohol becomes available. Atleast 20 gallons of the locally-made alcohol can be reproduced per month and will be done at PUP's Engineering and Science Research Center. It will also be led by a team from ISTR, as spearheaded by Coronado and licensed chemist and faculty researcher Christian Cambiador. At the end of March, the manufactured alcohol is scheduled to be distributed as free to the PUP community. "The product will be used by the members of the PUP community, including branches and campuses. It will not be sold commercially nor distributed outside PUP,” said Dr Armin Coronado, the director of ISTR, in an interview with PUP. The decision to manufacture a local alcohol was brought up to save the unversity at leadt 70% of the total expenses compared to buying commercially made alcohol, as they explained.