Mumbai, India and Atlanta, USA – December 21, 2021: Birla Carbon, a global leader in manufacturing high quality carbon black solutions, has announced the execution of a US$ 750 million Sustainability Linked Loan (SLL) on December 17, 2021, with a syndicate of more than 15 banks. The proceeds from the loan will be used to refinance Birla Carbon’s existing debts. The ANZ Group is the sole sustainability coordinator for this deal.
The announcement is of added significance as earlier in 2021, Birla Carbon announced the launch of the Continua™ brand of Sustainable Carbonaceous Materials (SCM) and its aspiration to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Birla Carbon has also released its annual Sustainability Report with Key Performance Indicators (KPI) since 2013.
Sharing his views on the milestone, Dr. Santrupt B. Misra, Group Director, Birla Carbon, Director, Chemicals and Director, Group HR, said, “Birla Carbon has been a pioneer in Sustainability practices both within the carbon black industry and the Aditya Birla Group. This Sustainability Linked Loan facility challenges the organization further to continuously explore sustainable and innovative solutions which will support our goals and that of our customers.”
Speaking about this program, John Loudermilk, Chief Executive Officer, Birla Carbon, said, “Sustainability and innovation are two of Birla Carbon’s key pillars responsible for our leadership in the industry. Pursuing the goal of sustainable business growth, aligned with our Purpose (to Share the Strength), has brought immense synergies of shared aspirations with all our business partners and stakeholders.”
Key KPI’s to the facility include; direct CO2 intensity, bringing circular products to market, and an external rating of Sustainability. Pivoting on carbon emissions and circularity, the structure emphasizes the business’s two most relevant sustainability aspects while encompassing the broader ESG canvas through a sustainability rating.
About Birla Carbon
Birla Carbon is a leading global supplier of carbon black. As one of the flagship businesses of the leading Indian multinational conglomerate, the Aditya Birla Group, Birla Carbon provides innovative sustainable carbon black solutions that enhance the performance of paints and coatings, inks, and toners, plastics, adhesives, sealants, textile fibers, mechanical rubber goods, and tires. The company’s footprint extends across 12 countries with 16 manufacturing facilities and two state-of-the-art technology centers in Marietta (USA) and Taloja (India), providing industry-leading innovation. Its Sustainable Operational Excellence (SOE) strategy focuses on employee safety, environmental stewardship, efficient use of carbon sources, and operating in a socially and ethically responsible manner. Visit www.birlacarbon.com
