Hydro Supports Ukrainian Firefighters with Flame-Retardant Workwear Through Circular Economy Initiative

Many have contributed to the project locally in Årdal. From left: Jens Vidar Sunde (Sunde Resirk), Hanne Hoel Pedersen (HSE manager, Hydro Årdal), Glenn Vie (operations manager, Sogn Vekst), Geir Fredheim (head of emergency response at Hydro Årdal), Veronica Øyre (managing director, Sogn Vekst) and Eidar Flugheim (area manager for the service department and responsible for workwear handling at Hydro Årdal). (Photo: Jens Christian Boysen / Hydro)

(IN BRIEF) Hydro has donated more than 10,000 pieces of flame-retardant protective clothing to Ukrainian fire and rescue services during 2024 and 2025 through a collaboration with Sogn Vekst and the humanitarian organisation Norwegian Ukrainian Fire and Ambulance Support. The clothing was repurposed after Hydro updated protective gear at its Norwegian aluminium plants and was inspected and prepared for reuse by Sogn Vekst, which provides work opportunities for refugees and others outside the regular labour market. The initiative represents a practical example of circular economy principles while addressing urgent equipment needs among Ukrainian emergency responders. In addition to protective clothing, Hydro has also supplied breathing apparatuses, protective masks and a rescue vehicle, with equipment sourced from plants in Årdal, Sunndal, Karmøy, Husnes and Høyanger and meeting European safety standards for protection against heat and flames.

(PRESS RELEASE) OSLO, 26-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Hydro has donated more than 10,000 pieces of flame-retardant protective clothing to fire and rescue services in Ukraine during 2024 and 2025, providing critical equipment to support emergency responders working under challenging wartime conditions. The initiative was made possible through cooperation between Hydro’s Norwegian aluminium plants and the inclusive enterprise Sogn Vekst in Årdal.

The donated jackets and trousers became available when Hydro renewed protective clothing across its Norwegian aluminium operations. Rather than disposing of the used garments, which remained fully functional, the company chose to collect and repurpose the equipment. The clothing was inspected, sorted and prepared for reuse before being delivered to Ukrainian emergency services.

Sogn Vekst managed the preparation and packaging of the workwear. The organization provides employment and training opportunities for people who face barriers to entering the regular labour market, including refugees such as Inna Biletska, who relocated from Ukraine to Norway. The initiative provided meaningful work while contributing to humanitarian support efforts.

Sogn Vekst offers language and work training for refugees such as Inna Biletska, who has come from Ukraine to Norway. (Photo: Jens Christian Boysen / Hydro)

Transport of the equipment to Ukraine has been coordinated by the humanitarian organisation Norwegian Ukrainian Fire and Ambulance Support (NUBAS), ensuring the donated items reach fire and rescue units with urgent needs for protective gear.

Johan Berg, Head of Hydro’s aluminium operations in Norway, described the project as a practical example of circular economy principles in action, highlighting how equipment that would otherwise have been discarded is now being used to protect emergency personnel in Ukraine.

Personnel at Hydro’s Norwegian facilities and staff at Sogn Vekst worked together to prepare and package the equipment. Under the coordination of Randi Helland and her team, more than 10,000 items of workwear from Hydro’s five aluminium plants were made ready for shipment.

Ukraine’s fire and rescue services continue to operate under difficult conditions following the Russian invasion in February 2022. Emergency responders face increased risks and equipment shortages while carrying out rescue and firefighting operations in affected areas.

In addition to flame-retardant clothing, Hydro has supplied other emergency equipment to Ukraine, including breathing apparatuses, protective masks and a rescue vehicle. These contributions are intended to support fire and rescue teams that require reliable protective gear for operations involving heat, flames and smoke.

Hanne Hoel Pedersen, HSE Manager at Hydro Årdal and a key contributor to the project, emphasized that the initiative has involved employees across Hydro’s Norwegian plants. She noted that workwear originally used to protect Hydro employees can now help safeguard emergency responders working in demanding and hazardous conditions in Ukraine.

Randi Helland and the team at Sogn Vekst have prepared and packed more than 10,000 items of workwear from Hydro’s five aluminium plants in Norway. (Photo: Jens Christian Boysen / Hydro)

The project has involved broad local participation in Årdal, including cooperation with partners such as Sogn Vekst and Sunde Resirk, along with Hydro personnel responsible for emergency preparedness and workwear management.

A total of 5,855 flame-retardant jackets and 4,960 protective trousers have been delivered from Hydro’s aluminium plants in Årdal, Sunndal, Karmøy, Husnes and Høyanger.

The donated garments are designed for demanding industrial environments and meet European safety standards. The clothing is flame-retardant and antistatic and provides protection against heat, flames and molten metal, making it suitable for firefighting and rescue operations.

Media Contact:

Anders Vindegg
Head of Media Relations, Group Communication
anders.vindegg@hydro.com
+47 93864271

SOURCE: Norsk Hydro ASA