Henkel condemns war, prepares to exit Russia

DUSSELDORF, Germany—Henkel A.G. & Co., which makes reactive polyurethane systems for pultrusion applications as well as a wide range of consumer products, is preparing to leave Russia.

The company employs 2,500 people in Russia and is working on "an orderly process" to leave the country. It has not yet been able to assess the financial impact that this will have on its business.

"Henkel condemns the Russian war against Ukraine and the violence against innocent civilians. Our priority remains to do everything we can to support our colleagues in Ukraine," CEO Carsten Knobel said.

See our full and ongoing coverage of impacts from the war in Ukraine.

Henkel has not set a specific timetable to fully leave Russia, saying the "execution process is now being prepared."

All employees in Russia will continue to be employed and paid during the process.

Knobel added that the company is offering financial donations, food, and material donations.

"Many Henkel employees are also helping at the borders by distributing urgently needed goods or offering people a place to stay," he said.

Henkel, based in Dusseldorf, also has 600 employees in Ukraine. In March, Henkel said it was providing paid time off to its workers who volunteered to help with refugees fleeing the war.

It also "extended the volume of our solidarity aid program to a total of more than 5 million euros ($5.4 million) containing product donations and a comprehensive cooperation," working with its social services partner Habitat for Humanity. Henkel employees also have donated more than 100,000 euros ($108,000).

Beyond those measures, Henkel employees in Slovakia donated cribs and mattresses for refugee families; 50 Henkel workers in Hungary offered 80 places to house refugees in their own homes or in apartments while organizing transportation from the border; workers in Austria helped set up temporary housing at athletic centers; and Polish employees created a "guardian angel team" to pick up and accomodate Ukrainian colleagues and their families.