Authors
WBCSD Communications
Brussels —18 February 2021 —Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (“AB InBev”) today announced the successful signing of a new USD10.1 billion Sustainability Linked Loan Revolving Credit Facility (“SLL RCF”), which replaces its existing 9.0 billion USD Revolving Credit Facility.
This milestone facility is the largest SLL RCF in history and the first syndicated facility of its kind among publicly listed companies in the alcohol beverage sector2. The facility has an initial five-year term (which may be extended by an additional two years), and incorporates a pricing mechanism that incentivizes improvement in the following four key performance areas, that are aligned with and contribute to the company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals:
- Further improving water efficiency in our breweries globally, supporting the Water Stewardship Goal;
- Increasing PET recycled content in PET primary packaging, contributing to the Circular Packaging Goal;
- Sourcing purchased electricity from renewable sources as outlined in theRE100 commitment; and
- Reducing GHG emissions as a part of the science-based Climate Action Goal
The above-listed goals form part of the criteria influencing, upwards or downwards, the margin of our SLL RCF and reinforce AB InBev’s long-standing commitment to sustainability. This commitment is also evidenced by initiatives such as the company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals and AB InBev’s role as a founding member of the UN Global Compact CFO Task Force, which supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Embedding sustainability into AB InBev’s financing strategy strengthens internal and external alignment to the company’s Better World agenda. The SLL RCF demonstrates that sustainable business is good business.
The new facility is provided by a consortium of 26 leading global financial institutions, with ING and Santander acting as Joint Sustainability Coordinators.
“We are excited by the further integration of sustainable finance principles into the capital markets and welcome the opportunity to embed these practices deeper into both our finance organization and the broader company. Our business is closely tied to the natural environment, and it is imperative that we continue to strengthen our leadership in addressing the increasing threats of climate change. Our business and our communities depend on it,” shared Fernando Tennenbaum, AB InBev CFO.
“This major sustainability-linked loan is an important milestone for both AB InBev and the beverage sector as a whole. AB InBev has demonstrated a clear ambition level by incorporating a broad set of material sustainability targets into this core lending facility. I’m proud that ING is supporting AB InBev toward their goals with this sustainable financing structure and at the same time implementing our strategy to help our clients to address climate risks and steer towards a circular economy.” said Steven van Rijswijk, CEO of ING.
“We have a long-standing relationship with AB InBev and are delighted to support the company with this milestone transaction that aligns our institutions’ sustainability priorities. This deal demonstrates AB InBev’s ambition to drive positive change and lead the way in innovation.”, noted José M. Linares, Senior Executive Vice-President of Banco Santander and Global Head of Santander Corporate & Investment Banking.
Partnerships are critical to sustainable development. AB InBev is proud to partner with ING, Santander and the broader group of 26 supporting banks on this innovative and milestone-setting SLL RC
More information: https://www.ab-inbev.com/content/dam/abinbev/news-media/press-releases/2021/02/ABI%20Sustainability-Linked%20Loan%20Announcement_EN_vfinal.pdf