SACE launches the first Green Push and supports Italian exports to Brazil alongside Raízen, with a loan granted by a group of international banks led by BNP Paribas

The loan is aimed at supporting the Brazilian company Raízen that has a strong investment plan in green and renewable energy projects

Raízen, an integrated Brazilian energy company with a broad portfolio of renewables, has secured a €300 million Green Loan, backed by SACE's guarantee. The loan was granted by a group of international banks led by BNP Paribas. The loan is aimed at facilitating the supply chain of Italian exporters involved in the sustainable investment plan of the Brazilian company, who is committed to the sustainability agenda with clear objectives, such as achieving 20 plants of second-generation ethanol (“E2G”) by 2030. “To be the first company in Latin America to receive approval for this loan means that we are on the right path to position Brazil as a leading country in the energy transition”, highlights Raízen’s Sustainability & Strategy VP, Paula Kovarsky.

This is the first-ever Euro-denominated loan of its kind facilitated by SACE in Brazil, whose involvement comes through the Green Push, a fresh addition to the Push Strategy program. This initiative is designed to strengthen the positioning of Italian SMEs within global supply chains, with the goal of promoting ‘Made in Italy’ exports in support of the international green transition. Thanks to the Push Strategy, SACE has guaranteed €7 billion in financing and organized over 150 business matching meetings, involving over 5,500 Italian companies, the majority of which are SMEs, both in Italy and abroad.

Pauline Sebok, Head of Americas Region at SACE commented: ”We are happy to be working in synergy with the group of banks to support Raízen’s green development initiatives. Through our Green Push initiative, we are able to facilitate the connection between major energy players and the supply chain of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises, while promoting their expertise and the high-quality of ’Made in Italy’ products. Hence, SACE plays a pivotal role in spearheading Italian exports into strategic markets such as Brazil”.

Since 2008, SACE has been present in Brazil with an office in São Paulo that serves as a strategic hub for Italian businesses aiming to expand in the South American market, as well as a focal point for local major buyers seeking connections with ‘Made in Italy’ supply chains.

With its strong roots in Brazil and operating as domestic market in Italy, BNP Paribas acted as Coordinating Bank, Bookrunner, Documentation Bank, Green Loan Coordinator, Facility Agent and Mandated Lead Arranger. The bank was ideally placed to structure a deal which will foster cross-border trade flows between the two countries and support the growth of an industry leader in sustainable fuels, in turn an irreplaceable element in the path to de-carbonization of the transportation sector. 

“Innovative structures such as this green loan allow for the development of sustainable import and export supply chains that can contribute to the clean energy transition”, says Rodrigo Jabur, Head of Corporate Coverage at BNP Paribas Brazil.