Mondelēz International Prices Inaugural Green Bond Offering
Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ) has successfully priced its first green bond, totaling €2.0 billion, marking the largest issuance in the Packaged Foods and Consumer Goods industry. The bond includes €650 million of 0.250% notes due in 2029, €650 million of 0.625% notes due in 2032, and €700 million of 1.250% notes due in 2041. Proceeds will support sustainability projects focusing on sustainable sourcing, waste reduction in packaging, and combating climate change, aligning with the company's ESG goals.
- Largest green bond issuance in the Packaged Foods industry, potentially enhancing brand reputation.
- Proceeds will fund sustainability initiatives, including sustainable sourcing and waste reduction in packaging.
- Issuance of bonds may lead to shareholder dilution if not managed properly.
Largest Green Bond Offering in Packaged Foods and Consumer Goods Industry
Proceeds from
CHICAGO, Sept. 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) today announced the successful pricing of its group’s first green bond, the largest ever green bond in the Packaged Foods and Consumer Goods Industry. The green bond issuance by Mondelēz International, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands B.V., totals
“I am proud to announce that we successfully placed our first green bond offering – the largest issuance to date within our industry,” said Dirk Van de Put, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Our purpose – to empower people to snack right – guides our company and the impact we seek to have on people and the planet. We remain laser focused on building a more sustainable snacking company and this green bond issuance is an important testament to our commitment to advancing our ESG agenda.”
Mondelēz International intends to allocate the net proceeds from the offering to eligible projects that further the company’s commitment to more sustainably sourced ingredients, reducing waste in packaging, and tackling climate change. The eligible project categories – environmental management of living natural resources and land use, more sustainable water and wastewater management, pollution prevention and control, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation – are designed to protect and regenerate the environment and are in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Within these categories, focus areas that are aligned to Mondelēz International’s ESG priorities include:
Sourcing Sustainable Ingredients
Mondelēz International is focused on the resilient supply of key raw materials. As one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers, the company’s signature sustainable sourcing program, Cocoa Life, invests in innovation, collaboration and on-the ground support for nearly 200,000 farmers to address the root issues cocoa farming communities face.
Reducing Waste in Packaging
Mondelēz International aims to find new, smarter plastic packaging solutions that use less virgin material and to advance harmonized approaches to recycling systems and infrastructure. Funds will go toward efforts to create a more circular economy where packaging, including flexible film, is reused or recycled.
Tackling Climate Change
Last year Mondelēz International joined the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI) and set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets consistent with helping keep global warming well below 2°C. These goals extend to reducing the environmental impact of growing the commodities essential to the business.
“Snacking Made Right is part of everything we do at Mondelēz International. Now more than ever is the time for companies to do what’s right and drive more sustainable business growth, and ESG investment is a critical element of that mission,” said Chris McGrath, VP & Chief of Global Impact & Sustainability. “This offering reflects our commitment to doing business the right way to reduce our impact on the environment, have a positive influence on society, and advance sector-wide lasting change. We look forward to working with our stakeholders to continue advancing these initiatives.”
Institutional Shareholder Services ESG (ISS ESG), a leading global provider of environmental, social, and corporate governance research and ratings, has published a Second Party Opinion (SPO) on Mondelēz International’s green bond framework. ISS ESG reviewed Mondelēz International’s green bond framework and found that the planned use of proceeds is consistent with Mondelēz International’s sustainability strategy and material ESG topics. ISS ESG’s SPO offers investors additional insight into the alignment of Mondelez International’s green bond framework with the Green Bond Principles.
Mondelēz International will publish annual updates on the allocation of the proceeds until the proceeds have been fully allocated to projects meeting the eligibility criteria. These updates will be reported publicly on Mondelēz International’s website at www.mondelezinternational.com and may include additional descriptions of select projects, and, where possible, their environmental and/or social impacts.
About Mondelēz International
Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2020 net revenues of approximately
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words, and variations of words, such as “will,” “may,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements about the use of proceeds of the green bond offering, and our environmental, social and governance strategies, goals and initiatives. The expected impact of the eligible projects described in this press release are also forward-looking statements. Such eligible projects may not deliver the environmental or sustainability benefits anticipated or expected and may result in complex and adverse direct or indirect environmental or sustainability impacts. In addition, Mondelēz International has significant flexibility in allocating the net proceeds of the green notes and there can be no assurance that the net proceeds will be totally or partially disbursed for any such eligible projects. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Mondelēz International’s control, which could cause Mondelēz International’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in Mondelēz International’s forward-looking statements. Please also see Mondelēz International’s risk factors, as they may be amended from time to time, set forth in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K. Mondelēz International disclaims and does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement in this press release, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Neither the information in Mondelēz International’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, nor the second party opinion published by ISS or any other such opinion or certification, is or shall be deemed to be incorporated into or form part of this press release.
| Contacts: | Maggie McKerr (Media) | Shep Dunlap (Investors) |
| 1-847-209-7701 | 1-847-943-5454 | |
| news@mdlz.com | ir@mdlz.com |
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