Heidelberg Materials places first sustainability-linked bond – Interest rate linked to industry’s most ambitious climate targets
On Friday, Heidelberg Materials successfully placed its first sustainability-linked bond (ISIN XS2577874782) with an issue volume of €750 million and a term until 2032 via HeidelbergCement AG as part of the €10 billion EMTN programme. The company had already announced the issue of a bond linked to sustainability criteria at its Capital Markets Day 2022.
Interest on the bond is linked to the development of specific CO₂ emissions per tonne of cementitious material up to 2026 as well as 2030, which are defined as key performance indicators (KPIs) in the Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework. Compared with the base year 2021, Heidelberg Materials aims to reduce specific CO₂ emissions by around 30% to 400 kg per tonne of cementitious material by 2030.
“The placement reinforces our aspiration to achieve the most ambitious climate targets within the industry and to increase the share of sustainable financial instruments to over 70% by 2025,” said CFO René Aldach. “With the denomination of €1,000, we are the only company on the capital market to date to also offer retail investors the opportunity to invest in sustainability-linked bonds."
The 4.6 times oversubscription of the bond demonstrates the confidence of the capital market in the Group’s sustainability strategy. The 10-year Eurobond has a fixed interest rate of 3.75% per annum. Joint bookrunners for the issue are BNP Paribas, Citigroup, Commerzbank, ING, SEB, and Standard Chartered Bank.
Since the beginning of this year, Heidelberg Materials has also been a pioneer in the field of commercial paper (CP). The CP programme is also linked to the reduction of specific CO₂ emissions per tonne of cementitious material in line with the 2026 target from the Sustainability-Linked Financing Framework. If the company is unable to reduce CO₂ emissions within the defined period and in the specified amount, a donation representing a retrospective interest step-up must be made to the non-profit organization BirdLife Europe to promote biodiversity.
About Heidelberg Materials
Heidelberg Materials is one of the world's largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. We are represented in over 50 countries with more than 51,000 employees at almost 3,000 sites. At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.
Heidelberg Materials comprises the parent company HeidelbergCement AG and its fully consolidated subsidiaries.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities of HeidelbergCement AG.
This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States of America. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States of America absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The securities described herein will not be registered under the Securities Act.
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