EBRD Invests €90 Million in Eko-Okna to Boost Polish Manufacturing Sector

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is bolstering the growth of Poland’s manufacturing sector by providing a €90 million loan to Eko-Okna, a prominent producer of energy-efficient windows and doors in Poland. This investment will fund the construction of four new production facilities, primarily manufacturing PVC windows and wooden frames, allowing Eko-Okna to expand its production capacity and enhance its competitiveness in European markets. Emphasizing sustainability, Eko-Okna commits to aligning its manufacturing processes with EU taxonomy criteria for sustainable economic activities, aiming to meet high insulation standards and source 50% of its electricity from renewable energy. The collaboration reflects the EBRD’s commitment to supporting growth-oriented companies while promoting sustainable production practices, contributing to Poland’s energy efficiency objectives and the European Green Deal’s goals of carbon neutrality in the construction sector by 2050.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 15-Feb-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the growth of the Polish manufacturing sector by lending €90 million to Eko-Okna, a leading Polish producer of energy-efficient windows and doors.

The investment will finance the construction of four new production facilities, manufacturing mostly polyvinyl chloride (PVC) windows and wooden frames, enabling Eko-Okna to expand its production and strengthen its competitive position in European markets. The EBRD’s investment is provided as part of a consortium financing package involving six banks.

As part of the investment, Eko-Okna is committing to higher sustainability targets for its production processes. The firm’s manufacturing will be aligned with the European Union (EU) taxonomy criteria for sustainable economic activities, enabling its products to meet the highest insulation parameters. The company also intends to meet 50 per cent of its electricity needs with renewable energy sources. As a result, Eko-Okna will contribute to the decarbonisation of the construction sector and work towards the European Green Deal objective of reaching carbon neutrality in the sector by 2050.

Frederic Lucenet, EBRD Global Head of Manufacturing and Services, said: “We are pleased to support a growth-oriented company like Eko-Okna. As with all our investments in industry, we are particularly proud to work with a company that places an emphasis on sustainable production and transitioning to a greener business model. We look forward to helping Eko-Okna grow and expand to new markets.”

Elisabetta Falcetti, EBRD Regional Head of Poland and the Baltic states, said: “Our engagement with Eko-Okna fits squarely with our strategic priorities in Poland. It supports a leading, innovative Polish company with its growth ambitions, and ultimately contributes to improving energy efficiency in Polish households and businesses.”

Andrzej Juszczyński, Chief Financial Officer and Management Board Member at Eko-Okna, said: “The support from the EBRD paves the way for us to have a continued international presence and expand our production capacity. Collaborating with the Bank is an honour and a source of pride for us. It serves not only as a financial partner but also as an ally in fulfilling commitments related to sustainable development.

“We firmly believe that further investment will help our company to grow and become more environmentally friendly and sustainable,” he continued. “We are grateful for this shared journey, which enables us to pursue new and increasingly ambitious goals.”

Eko-Okna will also expand the capacity of its on-site childcare facilities at its remote production locations, broadening access to quality services for working parents on staff.

Eko-Okna S.A is the second-largest European producer of window and door joinery, exporting the vast majority of its products to European markets. It operates nine production and storage plants in southern Poland, and employs more than 11,000 people.

The EBRD is among the leading institutional investors in Poland. The Bank has invested more than €14 billion in 519 projects since the start of its activity in the country in 1992. Last year the Bank invested a record €1.3 billion in Poland.

Media contact:

Tel: +44 207 338 7805
Email: Group-PressUnit@ebrd.com

SOURCE: EBRD