Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.
Factsheet for measure SK-2020-12/456 – Updated – measures in Slovakia
| Country |
Slovakia
, applies locally
|
| Time period | Open ended, started on 20 March 2020 |
| Context | COVID-19 |
| Type | Company practices |
| Category |
Reorientation of business activities
– Change of production/Innovation |
| Author | Daniela Keselova and Eurofound |
| Measure added | 10 April 2020 (updated 19 March 2025) |
The management of the company promptly reacted to the higher demand of healthcare staff for disinfection products. The company focused on the pure alcohol production for disinfection purposes and on the production of disinfectant solution on alcohol basis. The company has also decided to supply social services facilities, mostly senior homes for free with disinfection products in order to keep strict hygienic requirements and to protect the most vulnerable group - the seniors.
The distillery reduced the vinegar production in order to increase the pure alcohol for disinfection purposes and disinfection solutions on alcohol basis. Immediately, the products are distributed nationwide to hospitals, healthcare facilities, pharmacies and regionally to social services facilities (senior homes). They produce 36,000 liters of pure alcohol daily.
On 27 March 2020 the company was ready to give 1,000 liters of disinfection to senior homes. They supplied senior homes mostly in towns and villages of Trnava and Nitra regions. In case of need the company is also ready to limit its alcohol beverages production in order to meet a high demand for disinfection products.
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
| 26 November 2024 |
Since 2020 the company has been registered within European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a producer of active substance - ethanol for production of biocidal products. |
| 03 December 2020 |
Besides pure alcohol, the company produces two certified disinfectants: Universal disinfectant Dezinfekt 70% and disinfectant for hands Killvir Forte 80%, both in 3, 5 and 10 liter pack. |
According to the company's management, in the beginning of October 2020 the company has been continuously meeting the customers' demand for these products. Almost 1.5 million liters of disinfection has been sold. Fast and flexible response and adjustment of production based on the current situation and market demand have enabled the company to maintain jobs, maintain efficiency and make a positive contribution to economic results. The number of employees in 2019 was 58, and according to the available information, there were no dismissals in 2020.
| Workers | Businesses | Citizens |
|---|---|---|
|
Employees in standard employment
|
Does not apply to businesses | Does not apply to citizens |
| Actors | Funding |
|---|---|
|
Company / Companies
|
Employer
|
Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:
| Trade unions | Employers' organisations | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Unknown | Unknown |
| Form | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
The information on social partner involvement is not available.
The information on social partner involvement is not available.
This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
| Economic area | Sector (NACE level 2) |
|---|---|
| C - Manufacturing | C10 Manufacture of food products |
| C11 Manufacture of beverages | |
| C21 Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and pharmaceutical preparations |
This case is not occupation-specific.
Citation
Eurofound (2020), Changes in the production of St. Nicolaus Distillery in Leopoldov, measure SK-2020-12/456 (measures in Slovakia), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/SK-2020-12_456.html
Share
All publications are available on the EU PolicyWatch landing page .
Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.