Aurubis Secures €200 Million EIB Loan to Expand Copper Production and Recycling

Aurubis AG, a global leader in non-ferrous metals and one of the world’s largest copper recyclers, has secured a €200 million investment loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to fund strategic projects in Bulgaria and Germany. According to its official announcement, this financing will strengthen the company’s copper production and recycling capabilities, supporting Europe’s sustainable industrial growth.

Aurubis said that the five-year loan will enable the company to advance two major initiatives. The first is an expansion of copper refining at its Bulgarian production site, where the company plans to increase cathode output by approximately 50%, reaching 340,000 tons per year. As reported by Aurubis, the €120 million investment at the Bulgarian plant, the largest since its acquisition in 2008, is expected to be commissioned in fiscal year 2025/26. This expansion will support local economic development, create new jobs, and help meet the rising demand for copper across Europe, driven by energy transition, AI, and data center applications.

The second project focuses on enhancing recycling operations at the company’s Hamburg site. According to Aurubis, the €190 million Complex Recycling Hamburg (CRH) program will process an additional 30,000 tons of recycled material annually and optimize internal smelting flows. This initiative is designed to close both internal and external material loops, reinforcing Aurubis’ contribution to the circular economy while reducing environmental impact.

Steffen Hoffmann, Chief Financial Officer of Aurubis, commented, “With the EIB, we’re gaining a strong European partner to support our strategic investments in a sustainable future.” He noted that the attractive terms of the loan, compared with standard market conditions, will help Aurubis diversify its financing base and reinforce the social relevance of its projects. According to Nicola Beer, Vice President of the EIB, “Securing critical raw materials like copper and expanding recycling activities in Europe are essential to Europe’s resilience, sustainable development, and industrial competitiveness.” She emphasized that this financing is the EIB’s first in the sector since adopting its new strategy to secure Europe’s access to critical raw materials and supports the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.

According to Aurubis, both projects are aligned with EU policy objectives, promoting economic growth, regional development, and sustainable business practices. They are expected to enhance Europe’s copper supply chain resilience while contributing to the broader circular economy. The company also highlighted that advanced smelting and recycling technologies will be deployed to maximize metal recovery and ensure environmentally responsible production.

Overall, this EIB-backed investment positions Aurubis to play a central role in meeting Europe’s growing copper demand and advancing sustainable metal production. According to Aurubis reports, the projects reflect both high-quality investment standards and significant societal relevance, strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

Sources: Aurubis AG