EIB to finance Aquafin’s wastewater treatment infrastructure

Aquafin, a Belgium-based wastewater treatment solutions provider, obtained a 30-year term €200m loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the construction of the company’s wastewater treatment facilities in Flemish Region.

The company secured the first installment of €50m from the bank under EIB’s wastewater treatment and water protection schemes, including the laying of strategic rainwater piping to improve the existing infrastructure in the region.

Aquafin chairman Marc van den Abeelen commented that given the difficulty in securing a long-term loan from domestic banks in the current economic environment, the EIB loan assumes greater significance.

"Along with the financial support from insurance companies and pension funds, it will enable to us to maintain the same pace of investment as in previous years," said Abeelen.

EIB vice-president Pim Van Ballekom added that the loan was sanctioned given Aquafin’s commitment to climate change.

"The schemes that Aquafin will be able to carry out with this new loan will help to improve water quality in the Flemish Region’s water courses, with a direct impact on the River Schelde and the North Sea," said Ballekom.

Aquafin MD Luc Bossyns remarked, "The fact that aquatic animals that were previously never or rarely seen are now returning in growing numbers to the region’s waterways is the best indication that biological water quality has dramatically improved."

The loan is EIB’s eighth financial assistance to Aquafin’s investment in the Flemish Region’s wastewater treatment facilities since 1994.