Ecolab and Laboratoires Anios, an Ecolab company specializing in solutions for the healthcare sector, inaugurated the expansion of their Luce Letartre Research Center in Sainghin-en-Mélantois, France. The 2,000-square-meter center doubles the site’s research and innovation capacity and will help accelerate the company’s ability to launch innovations for infection prevention in the healthcare sector.

"Ecolab has a longlasting and widespread presence in France, and this investment shows that its confidence in the French economy remains very high," said Franck Riester, French Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, who was on hand for the inauguration event last week.  "International investors trust in France, because our pro-business agenda is clear, and remains so. The 'France Relance' recovery plan supports this strategy, supporting and transforming our economy towards a green, competitive and sustainable model.” 
The Ecolab-Anios facility is the only research center in Europe to integrate dedicated labs for chemistry formulation, microbiology, analytical chemistry and virology, the latest addition to the group’s capabilities, said Ecolab. Equipped with the latest technology, this research center can develop hygiene and infection prevention products to fight infections in a healthcare setting and demonstrate the effectiveness of the product portfolio on all types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and other emerging microorganisms that could be present in a hospital environment. The entire research center has dual GLP and ISO: 17025 certifications, contributing to its international recognition and compliance. 

"This Center of Excellence has capacity and capabilities that are unmatched in Europe," said Chafik Hilal, general manager of Ecolab Europe’s Healthcare division. “This expansion supports our growth ambitions combining the scientific and commercial expertise of Ecolab and Anios to help hospitals eradicate healthcare-acquired-infections (HAIs) and protect public health. HAIs are responsible for 37,000 deaths each year in Europe."

Initially constructed in 2012, the expanded Luce Letartre Research Center has the latest technologies to develop and test the effectiveness of new disinfectant formulations on infection-causing microorganisms, said Ecolab. With its increased capacity, the 37 employees at the facility will be able to conduct more than 22,000 tests per year and provide robust data as the companies pursue product registrations in multiple countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of health and effective hygiene measures. To support healthcare facilities in their fight against SARS-CoV-2, Ecolab and Anios have significantly increased the production of infection prevention products, such as the alcohol-based hand rub Aniosgel. The Sainghin-en-Melantois site has been operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week since February 2020, increasing overall production by 20% and doubling output of alcohol-based hand gel to supply the French market and other areas throughout the world.