BRF S A : COMPANIES UNITE TO DONATE MORE THAN 5 THOUSAND OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS

28/04/2021 10h04 COMPANIES UNITE TO DONATE MORE THAN 5 THOUSAND OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS

Equipment will be used to treat patients with Covid-19 in their own locations, avoiding the movement and overload of hospitals

A group of 13 companies joined in a collective action to enable the donation of more than 5,000 oxygen concentrators, which will be used to treat patients with Covid-19 in their own locations, avoiding travel to other cities and, consequently, the overloading of hospitals. The oxygen concentrator is a device that separates oxygen from the air and supplies it to the patient in a direct and continuous flow, contributing to the improvement of their breathing capacity, which is one of the areas most affected by the consequences of Covid-19.

The following companies participate in this initiative: Bradesco, BRF, B3, Embraer, Gerdau, Grupo Ultra, Itaú Unibanco, Magazine Luiza, Marfrig, Natura & Co, Suzano and Unipar. The Group answered a public call made by the Ministry of Economy, in support of the Ministry of Health, for the purchase of oxygen concentrators. Air Liquide Brasil, the world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and health, made the general quotation for the import of equipment, at a total cost of R $ 35 million.

The use of concentrators donated in this action will play a fundamental role in combating the pandemic and the consequent release of the hospital system. Considering that the average time of use of the device per patient can vary between one or two weeks, the expectation is that the more than 5,000 concentrators attend, between 10 thousand and 20 thousand patients, monthly. Each concentrator replaces, on average, 21 oxygen cylinders. Together, the donated equipment will supply the equivalent of a monthly production of 1,100,000 cubic meters of the input, a volume that would require more than 108,000 cylinders per month to be stored. The amount of oxygen supplied through the concentrators will also contribute to avoid overloading the productive capacity of the gas industry.

Convenience in handling is another prominent feature in the use of concentrators. Each piece of equipment weighs approximately 15 kilos and requires only electricity to operate. These conditions facilitate transportation and use, even in the most remote regions of the country. Durability is also a differential of these equipments. The donated concentrators have an estimated useful life of seven years.

The more than 5,000 oxygen concentrators acquired in this action will be handed over to the Ministry of Health, who will be responsible for the logistics of distributing the equipment. The expectation is that the devices will be sent to their destination during the month of April.

With this collective initiative, companies are adding their efforts to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, in one of its most acute moments in Brazil. The companies participating in this action are committed to society's efforts to save lives and to support the Government, in its different spheres, in actions to overcome the health crisis.

About BRF

One of the largest food companies in the world, BRF is present in more than 130 countries and owns iconic brands such as Sadia, Perdigão and Qualy. Its purpose is to offer quality food that is increasingly tasty and practical, to people all over the world, through the sustainable management of a long, complex and living chain, which provides a better life for everyone, from the field to the table. Based on fundamental safety, quality and integrity commitments, the Company bases its strategy on a long-term vision and aims to generate value for its more than 90 thousand employees worldwide, more than 260 thousand customers and approximately 10 thousand integrated in Brazil, all its shareholders and society.