Trafigura, a market leader in the global commodities industry, has signed a USD1.1 billion five-year loan to support the long-term supply of critical metals into Germany, reinforcing the country’s efforts to secure raw materials for its industrial, energy and technology sectors.

The loan is guaranteed by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany, acting through the German Export Credit Agency (“ECA”), Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft (“Euler Hermes”). It has been arranged by Commerzbank AG and financed by a pool of eight lenders.

This transaction highlights the critical role ECAs and global commodities companies like Trafigura can play in facilitating long-term access to raw materials essential for decarbonisation, industrial, and technological development.

The agreement marks Trafigura’s third guaranteed facility with Euler Hermes, following a USD800 million five-year loan signed in 2022 for the supply of refined non-ferrous metals, and a USD3 billion four-year loan signed in 2022 to secure German gas supply.

In addition to Commerzbank, which acted as ECA Coordinator, Facility Agent, ECA Agent and Mandated Lead Arranger for the transaction, the facility was supported by the following banks as Mandated Lead Arrangers: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A., Česká spořitelna, a.s., Erste Group Bank AG, ING Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, KFW IPEX-Bank and Lloyds.

Stephan Jansma, Group Chief Financial Officer of Trafigura, commented: “This facility further strengthens the successful collaboration between Trafigura and the Federal Republic of Germany. We are proud to play an important role in ensuring Germany’s access to critical metals through our extensive global network, built over 30 years of continuous activity in the metals industry.”