Sayenko Kharenko acted as Ukrainian legal counsel to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (“EBRD”) in connection with EUR 11 million long-term secured loan provided to Karpaty Mineral Waters (“KMW”), one of Ukraine’s leading producers of mineral water, soft drinks and energy drinks.
The financing will fund the construction and commissioning of a new greenfield beverage plant in the Lviv region. The new facility will nearly double KMW’s annual production capacity, supporting growing demand for bottled mineral water across Ukraine and thereby strengthening food and beverage security in communities affected by the war. The plant will use modern equipment supplied by a German manufacturer, significantly improving resource efficiency and reducing the KMW’s environmental footprint, thereby avoiding an estimated 2,477 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project includes a strong social dimension. About 80 new jobs will be created, with at least half reserved for war veterans and people with disabilities. KMW also plans training programmes for veterans and will contribute to the establishment of a rehabilitation centre in cooperation with local institutions.
The EBRD’s investment is supported by partial first-loss risk cover from the European Union’s Ukraine Investment Framework, which helps to mitigate the financing risk.
“We are proud to have advised EBRD on this impactful financing. This project strengthens the country’s food and beverage security while advancing sustainability and social inclusion” said Igor Lozenko, Partner at Sayenko Kharenko.
EBRD is Ukraine’s largest institutional lender, having deployed EUR 8.5 billion in the real economy since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. EBRD has secured a EUR 4 billion capital increase to continue supporting the country’s economy during wartime and in its future reconstruction efforts.
Sayenko Kharenko team has been led by Partner Igor Lozenko and included Senior Associates Vladyslava Mitsai, Oles Trachuk, Associate Yevgen Koval and Junior Associate Artem Medvetskyi.