International Sponsors of War: Rockwool’s products used in the construction and repair of Russian Navy ships, 13 November 2023

A leading Danish manufacturer of mineral wool products was added...to the list of international sponsors of war. After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company made a clear decision to remain in the Russian market. Through intermediaries, the Danish manufacturer continues to supply its construction materials to various state institutions, including the Russian Ministry of Defense. Rockwool sees no contradiction between “standing side by side with the Ukrainian people” and supplying the aggressor state’s war machine...

Rockwool products have been used in the construction and repair of ships of the Russian Navy: The Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, the Baltic Fleet, the Northern Fleet in Murmansk, and the Pacific Fleet. Information on such contracts is available from 2014 to 2021. 

In the years since the annexation of Crimea, Rockwool has supplied insulation materials to at least for 31 ships and submarines in the Russian Navy, including cruisers, destroyers, nuclear submarines, frigates, amphibious assault ships, minesweepers and reconnaissance ships. 

At least 52 contracts worth more than 329 million rubles between Rockwool distributors and the Russian Ministry of Defense were identified...

While these companies did not officially engage in direct deliveries of their products under state Russian contracts, in 2023 such deliveries were carried out by other intermediary enterprises...

In March 2022, Rockwool announced that it would continue to operate in Russia...