news - FMO finances Asia’s first mercury waste processing plant

FMO has granted a EUR 3.6 million loan to Dutch company BMT Begemann Milieutechniek B.V.

FMO, the Dutch development bank, has granted a EUR 3.6 million loan to Dutch company BMT Begemann Milieutechniek B.V.(BMT). The loan will be used to set up a new mercury waste processing plant in Thailand -  the first of its kind in Asia. The investment is funded through FMO’s Dutch government-backed Facility Emerging Markets (FOM - 'Faciliteit Opkomende Markten').

Potential contamination by mercury is a fast-growing international problem. In order to minimize environmental and health risks, waste contaminated by mercury must be handled with the greatest of care.

BMT is a specialist in the field of purification and recycling of mercury-contaminated waste substances produced in the gas, chlorine and recycling industry. BMT’s new Thai plant will be located near the country’s capital Bangkok and has a large capacity to serve the Thai and regional market. The company will work in accordance with ISO standards 9001 and 14001 and is in a position to handle all types of mercury waste effectively and safely.

“BMT provides a sustainable solution to a difficult waste problem,” said Steven Duyverman, manager of FOM at FMO. “We are glad to be able to finance their expansion to Asia, where this service has up to now been unavailable.”

“We are very happy with FMO for it is one of the few banks which provides financing to activities outside the Dutch borders to medium and small companies like ours, so we can contribute to the environment of Thailand and have a good business opportunity,” said Roeland Begemann, CEO of BMT

About FOM

With FOM, FMO stimulates Dutch enterprises to invest in emerging markets and developing countries. FOM is a joint initiative of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and FMO. FOM provides medium and long term loans to companies or joint ventures in emerging markets that are majority owned or controlled by Dutch enterprises. For more information, click here, or contact the FOM team at +31 (0)70 314 95 52 or FOM@FMO.nl.   

About FMO
FMO (the Netherlands Development Finance Company) is the Dutch development bank. FMO supports sustainable private sector growth in developing and emerging markets by investing in ambitious entrepreneurs. FMO believes a strong private sector leads to economic and social development, empowering people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life. FMO focuses on four sectors that have high development impact: financial institutions, energy, housing, and agribusiness. With an investment portfolio of EUR 5 billion, FMO is one of the largest European bilateral private sector development banks. www.fmo.nl

Press contact:
Eveline Schijf, Communications Officer (PR)
T: +31 70 314 9924                                                
E: e.schijf@fmo.nl

About BMT
For more information about BMT, please click here.