FLSmidth has signed a loan agreement totalling EUR130m with the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB). The loan is earmarked for investments in research and development activities.
 
The seven-year-maturity loan will finance FLSmidth's global research and development programme in the period of 2013-2015. The R&D programme will focus on development of new products, enhanced energy efficiency and use of materials and fuels in the production process, and reduction of harmful emissions. The total budget of the programme amounts to EUR 260m.
 
"This loan from the Nordic Investment Bank supports our strong focus on research and development. Continuous research and development is key to FLSmidth's future development and our R&D activities take place globally in our various centres of excellence," Group Executive Vice President and CFO Ben Guren comments.
 
In its research and development investments FLSmidth places particular emphasis on the use of alternative fuels, reduced emissions and waste, improved heat recovery, lower power consumption, minimised water consumption, increased plant capacity, availability and operating efficiency and minimum safety risk.