Ethanol and biodiesel producers in Iowa are helping supply ingredients for hand sanitizer, which is in short supply.

The COVID-19 virus has brought many things, in­­cluding a desire to lend a helping hand. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association and Iowa Prison Industries (IPI) have joined forces to make that hand a clean one.

Iowa’s biofuels producers are don­­­ating ethanol and glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production, to Iowa Prison Industries to make into hand sanitizer. The finished product is being used in state-run facilities and distributed for free by the state for priority use.

“The whole country is working tirelessly to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, and Iowa...