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GP Industries completes a sustainability-linked loan of HK$660 million in key milestone for Asia’s consumer batteries sector

  • Written by Media Outreach

Sustainability targets include greener manufacturing practices and corporate sustainability initiatives

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 30 November 2023 - GP Industries Limited ("GP Industries", SGX: G20), the 85.59%-owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong-listed Gold Peak Technology Group Limited ("Gold Peak", SEHK: 40), today completed a 3-year syndicated sustainability-linked loan facility (the "SLL Facility") of HK$660 million with 6 major banks in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the SLL Facility was favorably received by the market, resulting in an oversubscription.
(5th from right) Victor Lo, Chairman of both GP Industries and Gold Peak, expressed gratitude to the banks for their staunch support on the SLL Facility.
The final SLL Facility size was increased to HK$660 million, making it the largest of its kind in the consumer primary batteries industrial sector in Asia, as GP Industries' inaugural SLL Facility. The successful finalization of this financing reflects GP Industries' commitment to sustainability, as well as the banking industry's long-term optimism about and support for GP Industries' contributions in Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG"). Victor Lo, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of GP Industries and Chairman & Chief Executive of Gold Peak, said, "We have a strong commitment and track record for long-term sustainable development, and we aspire to find new ways to finance and operate our businesses sustainably. This SLL Facility reinforces our confidence and underscores our unwavering commitment to long-term business continuity and sustainable growth." "We will continue to improve our environmental and social performance, mitigate climate risks and invest in more medium to longer term ESG and strategic initiatives which deliver long-term value for our important stakeholders and shareholders. In embracing ESG as one of our core value drivers, I am confident that we will continue to make progress towards net-zero and deliver benefits to our diverse stakeholders, our community and our planet," added Victor Lo. Michael Lam, Vice-Chairman and Executive Vice-President of GP Industries, commented, "As a major leading global manufacturer of rechargeable consumer primary batteries in Asia, GP Industries has been investing significantly in sustainability and ESG initiatives. We have been regularly reporting our ESG performance to stakeholders since 2017 as an important part of GP Industries' group-wide business operations to create long-term growth for its shareholders and the community as a whole. Our GP Recyko consumer rechargeable batteries, which are reusable and recyclable, are well-received by the market. Late last year, we launched an all-new paper packaging for GP Alkaline consumer batteries which significantly reduced the use of plastics, progressively changing the way our customers consume our products for a greener world. In our acoustics portfolio, KEF GP Group ("KGG Group"), which comprises KEF, Celestion and GP Electronics, will continue to invest in greener and energy efficient production facilities. Through significant research, design, engineering and manufacturing, KGG Group is able to deliver best-in-class product experience for our discerning customers." GP Industries places great emphasis on safeguarding the health and well-being of the communities in which it operates. By adopting best-in-class safety and sustainability business practices, GP Industries consistently delivers and exceeds generally accepted industry standards and regulatory requirements. As a responsible manufacturer, GP Industries has been investing in reducing environmental impact by minimizing waste and improving product recyclability. GP Batteries recently received the Bronze Medal in EcoVadis Sustainability assessment, surpassing both the industry average and half of the organizations worldwide assessed. GP Batteries' 6 plants in Malaysia, Vietnam and China have achieved Zero Waste to Landfill Gold Validation. GP Industries is also in the process of installing more solar panels across a number of production facilities in China, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. In 2022, GP Energy Tech Limited, a new subsidiary of GP Industries, was formed to focus on driving the development of more innovative, sustainable and environmental-friendly battery products and energy storage solutions. This SLL Facility has been co-arranged by Hang Seng Bank Limited ("Hang Seng") and United Overseas Bank Limited ("UOB") as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners, acting as SLL Advisor and SLL Coordinator respectively, collectively advising GP Industries on sustainability performance targets. The Bank of East Asia, Limited ("BEA"), Bank of Dongguan Co., Ltd., Hong Kong Branch, Tai Fung Bank Limited and The Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Ltd., Hong Kong Branch are acting as Lead Arrangers for this SLL Facility. Regina Lee, Head of Commercial...

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