GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, June 19, 2024 – Sucafina SA, the leading sustainable Farm to Roaster coffee company, is pleased to announce that it has successfully secured a two-year extension on its flagship Sustainability-Linked Senior Secured Borrowing Base Facility (“the Facility”). Commitments for the US $700 million Facility were received from a globally diverse group of European, American, and Asian banks.
Sustainability is at the heart of the way Sucafina does business and since 2019, the Facility has included a sustainability framework. The Sustainability Performance Targets (SPTs) of two of the key performance indicators (KPIs) have since been adjusted – in 2021, 2023, and 2024 – to ensure Sucafina’s sustainability performance remains aligned to the ambitious level of the Sustainability-Linked Loan Principles. The two adapted KPIs are: the sustainability certification of farmers, and the mapping and monitoring of no-deforestation in coffee producing countries. These KPIs have now been updated for the next 24 months.
As part of Sucafina’s efforts to drive innovation, two additional KPIs have been added to the SPTs as of this year. One KPI concerns the use of new regenerative agriculture methodology, which will be used by farmers. The other KPI includes the deployment of an innovative agroforestry program linked to the sale of carbon credits as an extra income stream for farmers. The Facility is the first instrument of its kind within the industry to formally include these particular KPIs.
Valentin Levraux, Head of Treasury at Sucafina, said:
“The successful refinancing of Sucafina’s flagship facility is proof of continued confidence in the Group and its mission. Thanks to additional commitment, innovative payment methods, and refreshed pricing, Sucafina has increased its agility in a volatile environment.”
Grégory Lambillon, CEO and Country Manager of ING Switzerland, said:
“On behalf of all ING teams involved, I’m extremely pleased to have been arranging the refinancing of Sucafina’s backbone facility. ING acted as Coordinator, Active Mandated Lead Arranger, Bookrunner, and Security Agent and will act as Facility Agent and Joint Sustainability Coordinator. The successful syndication has demonstrated the market appetite for such financing structures and the resilience of Sucafina’s business model despite the challenging market environment. In addition to selected structural improvements, the facility displays ambitious sustainability KPI targets and constant efforts towards digitalization. We look forward to continuous cooperation and innovation with Sucafina."”
ING Bank N.V. will act as Facility Agent, with its Geneva Branch acting as Security Agent and Overdraft Bank. Together with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., ING will also act as Joint Sustainability Coordinator, Komgo as Digital Agent, and farmer connect as Traceability Agent.
The following banks participated in the Facility: Banque Cantonale de Genève; Banque Internationale de Commerce – BRED (Suisse) SA; CA Indosuez (Switzerland) SA; Citibank N.A., London Branch; Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A.; DBS Bank Ltd., London Branch; DZ BANK AG, Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank, Frankfurt am Main; GarantiBank International N.V.; HSBC Continental Europe; Industrial, and Commercial Bank of China Limited, Beijing, Zurich Branch; ING Bank N.V.; MUFG Bank Ltd; Natixis; Raiffeisen Bank International AG; Société Générale; and UBS Switzerland AG.
HFW was counsel to Sucafina and Hogan Lovells acted as counsel on behalf of the banks.
ABOUT SUCAFINA
Sucafina is the leading sustainable Farm to Roaster coffee company, with a family tradition in commodities that stretches back to 1905. Today, with more than 1,400 employees in 42 countries, we help stakeholders worldwide to find the perfect coffee solutions. We embed technology, innovation, and sustainability throughout the supply chain, creating shared value for all by Investing in Farmers, Caring for People, and Protecting Our Planet. For more information, visit www.sucafina.com.