Terming the attack on Ukraine “a war against humanity, the freedom of all of us and peace in Europe”, German plastics converter Rehau (Rehau; www.rehau.com) has announced the suspension of all business operations in Russia and Belarus until further notice. “Russia in particular, where we have been present for many years, is an important market for us. We hope that the situation will soon change in such a way that we can resume our activities in both countries,” the company said in a statement.

In Ukraine, Rehau employs 150 at four locations in all divisions, with most of them in Kyiv. In Russia, the group has almost 700 employees at 23 locations, including a plant near Moscow, which produces PVC window and door profiles, the second largest for the company worldwide.

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All four of Rehau’s industries divisions – Window Solutions (window, door profiles), Building Solutions (systems for drinking water, heating and telecommunications), Interior Solutions (furniture edgebends, surfaces, doors, and wall-seal profiles) and Industrial Solutions (conductor rail systems, profile solutions, and polymer fluid systems) – are active in Russia and Belarus. “We are feeling the effects of the war in all business areas,” a spokesperson told Plasteurope.com.

With around 20,000 employees at more than 170 locations globally, the group generates annual sales of over EUR 4 bn.