A factory is being built that will make one million bottles of hand sanitiser a month.

Multi-billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is behind the plan and has said that the bottles will be given to the NHS for free – to help with the ‘critical shortage’.

Unveiling the plans, he said the factory in Middlesbrough would be up and running in just 10 days, with another factory planned for Germany.

Sir Jim, who runs chemicals company INEOS, said: “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.

“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.”

Sir Jim’s pledge comes after LVHM, the multinational corporation which owns high-end fashion label Louis Vuitton, announced it will be using its perfume production lines to make hand sanitiser to help cope with demand in France.

The company said it wants to help out amid an ongoing shortage in France due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and will give the gels to hospitals and health authorities free of charge.

In a statement released yesterday LVHM said: “Given the risk of a shortage of hydro-alcoholic gel in France, Bernard Arnault has instructed the LVMH Perfumes and Cosmetics business to prepare its production sites to manufacture substantial quantities of hydro-alcoholic gel to be provided to public authorities.

“Through this initiative, LVMH intends to help address the risk of a lack of product in France and enable a greater number of people to continue to take the right action to protect themselves against the spread of the virus.”

The statement continued: “LVMH will continue to honour this commitment for as long as necessary, in connection with the French health authorities.”

The company said it would give ‘priority’ to Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, a university hospital trust.