In an effort to assist with the urgent needs of those caught up in the developing refugee crisis due to the conflict in Ukraine, PPG has committed more than US$450,000 in support. In addition, PPG employees have been providing direct support to those in need, including taking refugee families into their homes.
PPG made an initial donation of US$250,000 to humanitarian relief, as well as longer-term recovery support, and this included a US$50,000 match of employee donations. Now, with more than three million refugees leaving Ukraine for safety, support and shelter, PPG has announced another US$150,000 will be given to non-profit organisations providing humanitarian support. In addition, it will extend the company / employee donations match to US$100,000, as well as direct further community-giving budgets to help in this time of need.
Since the war in Ukraine began, PPG’s highest priority has been to protect the safety and wellbeing of its employees, including those from Ukraine and those located within Russia. The ongoing conflict has also made it necessary to scale back operations in Russia due to deteriorating business conditions and regulatory restrictions. PPG made the immediate decision to refrain from sales to Russian state-owned entities that fall within the scope of recent regulations, along with the aerospace market.
In addition, the company is not undertaking any new investments and has taken steps to wind down various other operations in Russia, with the exception of the supply of coatings to customers who are providing packaging that contains essential food and beverage products for people in the country. PPG intends to continue to sell a minimum quantity of essential products in Russia because it is necessary to generate local currency in order to maintain employment and meet payroll. It also plans to donate net profits, if any, generated by its Russian operations, for the full calendar year 2022, to non-profit organisations providing direct humanitarian support.
PPG continues to closely monitor developments in the region and any additional support needs. Local teams will continue to provide direct support to affected PPG families, especially in the European countries near Ukraine, including Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova.