Cristal Union refinances €901 million through a syndicated loan to pursue its development
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Cristal Union announces successful completion of a €901 million refinancing with its banking partners, a strong sign of their trust in the Group’s business model. This transaction executed in January 2026, supports the Group’s development and further consolidates Cristal Union’s leading role in the growing and processing of sugar beet in France, as well as its commitment to environmental transition.
This refinancing enhances the Group’s financial strength and will support its short‑ and medium‑term financing needs.
Cristal Union refinanced its Syndicated and Subordinated loans as well at its Euro PP for a total of €211 million, increased its Revolving Credit Facility from €400 million to €550 million, and implemented a €140 million Investment Facility, extending the Group’s debt maturity to 2031 with renewal options for two additional years. This transaction was carried out with a consortium of 12 French and international banks.
This refinancing strengthens the Group’s liquidity and provides greater flexibility to pursue the Group’s development strategy.
In line with its priorities, Cristal Union will continue its growth momentum through strategic investments in its industrial facilities and key markets.
The refinancing, linked to rigorous sustainable development indicators, reflects Cristal Union’s strong commitment to environmental concerns. The selected indicators are based on the Group’s existing ESG objectives in industrial decarbonisation and water autonomy and will in time also support Cristal Union’s 9,000 beet growers in their agricultural decarbonisation approach.
Xavier Astolfi Chief Executive Officer of Cristal Union
I would like to thank our banking partners who stand alongside us. The success of this cooperation is a strong sign of their confidence in the Group’s strength, the relevance of our strategic choices and the resilience of our model. These enhanced resources enable us to pursue our commitments to profitable and sustainable growth.
Stanislas Bouchard Deputy Chief Executive Officer
This refinancing, indexed to sustainable development indicators, contributes to strengthening the Group’s financial structure and demonstrates the continued confidence of our banking partners in Cristal Union’s economic model.
For this transaction, Cristal Union was advised by Rothschild & Co and the law firm Ashurst.
Financing Arrangers:
Credit and Security Agent: Crédit Agricole CIB
Documentation Agent: BNP Paribas
Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners: BNP Paribas, BRED Banque Populaire, Crédit Agricole CIB, Caisse Régionale de Crédit Agricole Mutuel du Nord‑Est, Rabobank, UniCredit
Mandated Arrangers: Banque CIC Est, Banque Européenne du Crédit Mutuel, Crédit Agricole d’Ile de France, Crédit Lyonnais, Landesbank Saar, Société Générale
ESG Coordinators: UniCredit, BRED
#decarbonation#Strategy
As a forerunner in its sector on agricultural sustainability issues, Cristal Union is accelerating with all its cooperative members.
The 9,000 Cristal Union cooperative members, who grow sugar beet and alfalfa, are in direct contact with the land on a daily basis. They are constantly adapting their practices to better control their environmental footprint. The Group's agronomists are at their side to support them.
The approach is open, with Cristal Union having chosen to evaluate all of its cooperative members, without exception. And the collective results are all there.
