#Recycling / Circular Economy

2020-09-24

Borealis receives European Investment Bank loan for development of circular economy solutions for plastics

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and Borealis have successfully closed a benchmark financing agreement that supports the Borealis research, development and innovation (RDI) programme in the circular economy sphere. The EIB will provide a EUR 250 million loan supporting Borealis’ multi-year investment programme in the area of plastics circularity, in line with its objectives to support innovation, climate action and sustainability.

EIB grants EUR 250 million in funding for Borealis’ research, development and innovation (RDI) programme

Loan to boost Borealis research and development efforts in propelling the industry towards plastics circularity

Borealis corporate sustainability strategy in close alignment with goals of European Green Deal and EU Plastics Strategy

The loan enables Borealis to intensify the at its Innovation Centres in Austria, Sweden and Finland. Polyolefins produced by Borealis are used in a wide range of applications in consumer products, packaging, power transmission cabling, and industrial and construction materials.

Borealis employee working on large compounding line in Linz, Austria © 2020 Borealis

As a leading provider of innovative polyolefins solutions, Borealis aims to make its own core business more circular. The circular economy is one of three key areas in the new Borealis 2035 Group Strategy which was announced earlier this year. Borealis has been at the forefront of industry efforts to accelerate the transformation to a circular economy of plastics. Its proprietary Borstar®, Borlink™ and Borceed ™ technologies have recently been enriched by ™, an evolving technology that enables the production of high-quality recycled polyolefins (rPOs), and ™, a portfolio of circular polyolefins produced with renewable feedstock derived entirely from waste and residue streams. Borealis has already begun working with value chain partners in recent years to develop and launch innovative, value-adding circular solutions in a variety of industries, including energy, automotive and consumer packaging. Borealis also aims to integrate an ever larger share of recycled plastics in its products.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union and owned by its Member States. It provides long-term capital and advisory support for sound investments that contribute towards EU policy goals. The European Investment Bank Group is one of the largest public supporters of innovation in the European Union. Since 2000, the Group has invested over EUR 210 billion in innovation and skills in the European Union and beyond in order to advance innovation and address the social and economic challenges of today and tomorrow. To help tackle climate change, the EIB Group will also aim to support EUR 1 trillion of investments in climate action and environmental sustainability in the critical decade from 2021 to 2030. This also includes circular economy projects. Over the past five years (2015-2019), the EIB has provided around EUR 2.5 billion in loans to co-finance more than 100 circular projects, and stands ready to do more to help meet the lending needs of the circular economy transition.

Borealis Innovation Headquarters Atrium Showroom in Linz, Austria © 2020 Borealis

“We are exceedingly pleased to be able to boost our research and innovation activities in Europe thanks to the EIB,” says Alfred Stern, Borealis CEO. “It is good to have strong partners who share our belief in the importance of re-inventing for more sustainable living.”

“The promotion of circular solutions in the polyolefins industry is aligned with our goals to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, including for plastics, and to support cutting-edge innovation,” explains Ambroise Fayolle, EIB Vice-President.“We are happy to continue and intensify our collaboration with Borealis AG by signing our largest transaction together so far. As the EU’s climate bank, we are eager to support private sector partners that are committed to environmental sustainability.”

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