Aurubis AG: Aurubis secures € 200 million from EIB to drive recycling and copper production - Seite 2

Both projects reinforce sustainable metal production and support key European Union policy objectives such as economic growth, regional development, and sustainable business practices to create new jobs.

The financing commitment represents the first EIB financing for the sector since the adoption of the new EIB Group strategy to secure Europe’s access to critical raw materials earlier this year and actively supports the rollout of the Critical Raw Materials Act.

50 % increase in copper production in Bulgaria

As part of its corporate strategy, the multimetal producer is investing € 120 million to expand the tankhouse at its Bulgarian production site and boost cathode production to cover growing European demand for copper. Aurubis anticipates a commissioning in fiscal year 2025/26.

This is the largest single investment at the Bulgarian plant since its acquisition in 2008 and represents an around 50 % increase in production at the site to 340,000 tons of refined copper per year.

The expansion will support Bulgarian economic development, boost the country’s exports, and create additional jobs.

Copper plays a crucial role in enabling the energy transition, AI and data centers, and also underpins Europe’s security architecture. With increased production capacity, Aurubis is positioned to better serve Europe’s rising demand for copper in the future. Experts predict that global demand for copper will double by 2050.

Extensive investment in expanding recycling expertise and optimizing material flows

The loan will also back the € 190 million Complex Recycling Hamburg (CRH) investment program at the North German site. Aurubis expects operations to begin in the coming fiscal year.

The new Aurubis facility will process around 30,000 additional tons of recycled material along with a larger amount of complex internal smelting intermediates — closing both internal and external material loops and reinforcing the company’s contribution to the circular economy.

 

Background Information

European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. The EIB provides long-term financing for solid projects that contribute to EU policy objectives. It finances investments in four primary areas — infrastructure, innovation, the climate and the environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).