NIB and Billerud Aktiebolag Ink SEK 400 Million Deal for Sustainable Packaging R&D

NIB and Billerud Aktiebolag Ink SEK 400 Million Deal for Sustainable Packaging R&D

(IN BRIEF) The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Billerud Aktiebolag (publ) have finalized a SEK 400 million investment loan agreement to support Billerud’s research and development (R&D) activities from 2023 to 2026. Billerud, a leading Swedish paper and packaging materials supplier, will utilize the funds to drive innovation in barrier solutions for paper and board packaging, aiming to replace plastic, aluminium foil, and glass with bio-based alternatives. By focusing on renewable materials and enhancing packaging performance, the collaboration between NIB and Billerud aims to contribute to a more sustainable future and advance the transition towards circular economy principles.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 9-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and Swedish paper and packaging materials supplier Billerud Aktiebolag (publ) sign a SEK 400 million (approximately EUR 35.4 million) investment loan for financing of the company’s research and development (R&D) expenditures between 2023-2026. The term of the loan is 8 years.

Billerud Aktiebolag (publ) produces high-quality paper and packaging materials from virgin fibre, catering to a diverse range of applications, including the packaging of food and consumer goods, industrial use, and printed communication. The NIB loan will finance Billerud’s R&D endeavours in developing barrier solutions for paper and board packaging and improving package performance.

These R&D efforts are dedicated to advancing material technologies using renewable virgin fibre. The goal is to innovate and introduce bio-based barriers for paper and board packaging that could serve as alternatives to plastic, aluminium foil, and glass. The R&D also focuses on enhancing package performance by creating stronger, more efficient materials.

“Sustainable packaging is a key global megatrend. Billerud, backed by NIB’s financing, is driving innovations in materials and resource efficiency, accelerating the shift to renewable packaging, and promoting a more circular economy,” says André Küüsvek, NIB President & CEO.

“Billerud continues to challenge conventional packaging via investments in R&D. We are pleased to see NIB supporting us on our journey to create a sustainable future,” says Andrei Krés, Billerud CFO.

Billerud Aktiebolag (publ)  is a Swedish paper and packaging manufacturer headquartered in Solna, Sweden. The company has ten production units in Sweden, USA, and Finland with around 6,100 employees in over 13 countries and customers in over 100 countries. Billerud is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s. Read more at www.nib.int.

Media Contacts:

Kim Krokfors
Senior Banker, Country Lead for Finland
+358 10 618 0517
kim.krokfors@nib.int

David Rasmusson
Communications
+358 50 476 3071
david.rasmusson@nib.int

SOURCE: Nordic Investment Bank