SMC Corporate Finance acted as financial advisor to Helvetia Environnement for the issuance of the first Green Bond by a Swiss corporate.
With 500 employees, Helvetia Environnement is the Swiss leader in waste management and recycling. The company is based in Geneva and is active in a large range of services such as waste collection, sorting centers, production of waste derived biofuels and delegated waste management for large industrial companies.
In June 2017, Helvetia issued a Green Bond in the amount of CHF 75 million with a 5 year term, at a coupon 3.625% on a BB- rating. The proceeds were destined to refinance a bridge loan contracted for the acquisition of SRS and to fund new investments, mostly into new sorting centers (including the new fully automated sorting center “Sortera” in Geneva).
SMC Corporate Finance supported Helvetia in all aspects of the issuance of the Green Bond, i.e. the preparation of the prospects, the Second Party Opinion ESG due diligence process, the Comfort Letter Process, the Rating Process and the Investor Presentation / Roadshows.
“SMC’s contribution was essential for the outstanding success of our inaugural bond issue. SMC managed the internal team and external providers, and ensured that the Green Bond was issued precisely on the targeted launch date”, says Vincent Chapel, CEO Helvetia Environnement.
