Ethanol compulsory warehouse to be built
Lessons learned from the crisis: the Federal Council wants to build up ethanol reserves again following the current shortage during the coronavirus pandemic. Ethanol is an important ingredient in the production of disinfectants.
As a result of the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Federal Council wants to set up a mandatory ethanol stockpile. The basis for this is the National Supply Act. Until 2018, Alcosuisse considered an ethanol stockpile for around three months of domestic requirements to be realistic. Since the sale and privatization, this compulsory stockpile has been dissolved.
However, experience from the pandemic now shows how important the availability of ethanol is. The Federal Council is therefore proposing the establishment of a compulsory stockpile on the basis of the National Supply Act, as the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) writes in a press release.
According to the draft ordinance, companies that import, produce or process ethanol or sell it domestically for the first time must create compulsory stocks. The proportion of ethanol used for the production of fuels is exempt.
The two types of ethanol envisaged are suitable for all uses that are relevant to the country's economic supply. The production of disinfectants, the overall requirements of the healthcare sector and the production of medicines and foodstuffs are classified as systemically relevant. The extent of the compulsory stocks is to be determined by the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER).
Source: Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)
