Ineos said on Tuesday it will build a hand sanitiser plant near Middlesbrough in 10 days to make one million bottles per month.

It said supplies to NHS hospitals will be free of charge for the period of the coronavirus crisis.

“These will be produced according to World Health Organisation specifications and be specifically designed to kill bacteria and viruses,” said Ineos.

Ineos said it is the leading European producer of the two key raw materials needed for sanitisers – isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and ethanol.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe said: “INEOS is a company with enormous resources and manufacturing skills.

“If we can find other ways to help in the coronavirus battle, we are absolutely committed to playing our part …

“It is becoming increasingly clear that hand to mouth infection is a significant cause of Corona virus contagion and Ineos is Europe’s largest manufacturer of the core ingredient of hand sanitiser.

“We will build two factories in the UK and Germany in 10 days to produce very substantial supplies.”