The issue saw strong demand and the order book almost reached SEK 2.9 billion. The bonds of SEK 500 million and SEK 1.5 billion were issued with tenors of 3 and 5.5 years respectively, both tenors with floating rate tranches and the longer tenor also with a fixed rate tranche.
This is ICA Gruppen’s second green bond issue under the established Green Finance Framework, developed to align with the ICMA Green Bond Principles. CICERO Shades of Green, now part of S&P Global, has provided a second party opinion of the framework, awarding it a Medium Green shading and an Excellent governance score. Following today’s transaction, ICA Gruppen has issued a total of SEK 5.5 billion in green bonds.
For 2023, ICA Gruppen reported a green project portfolio of SEK 7.7 billion, of which SEK 3.5 billion was financed with green bonds. The portfolio is distributed as 42 percent Green buildings, 39 percent Eco-efficient and/or circular economy adapted products, 18 percent Clean transportation and 1 percent Renewable energy. ICA Gruppen also reported avoided tons of CO2 by the green project portfolio.
"ICA Gruppen’s ambitious sustainability goals are central to our success, and we take pride in the emissions reductions contributed by our green project portfolio. The continued strong interest in our green bonds is a clear confirmation of the value we deliver”, says Kerstin Lindvall, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at ICA Gruppen.
Danske Bank and DNB acted as Joint Bookrunners. The bonds will be listed on Nasdaq OMX Stockholm.
The MTN-prospectus, Green Finance Framework and Green Bond Report, as well as Second Party Opinion by CICERO Shades of Green can be found at ICA Gruppen's website, Green financing.
For more information
ICA Gruppen press service
Telephone number: +46 (0)10 422 52 52
E-mail: press@ica.se
ICA Gruppen AB (publ) is one of the leading retail companies in the Nordics with a focus on food and health. The Group includes ICA Sweden and Rimi Baltic which mainly conduct grocery retail, ICA Real Estate which owns and manages properties, ICA Bank which offers financial services, ICA Insurance and Apotek Hjärtat which conducts pharmacy operations. In 2023, ICA Gruppen had a turnover of approximately SEK 148 billion.