International asset manager Robeco announced the launch of the Robeco Sustainable Senior Loan Fund (SLF), a new closed-ended private debt fund investing in SDG-screened companies and financing measures for companies to improve sustainability.

The fund is launching with €130 million already raised, with the firm aiming to continue fundraising throughout this and next year.

Victor Verberk, CIO Fixed Income & Sustainability at Robeco, said:

“With EUR 130 million of initial commitments, we are excited to launch our Sustainable Senior Loan Fund. We’re already seeing significant further appetite from clients looking to integrate sustainability into their private debt allocations.”

Robeco said that the new fund aims to take advantage of the shift in lending from bank lending to alternative lenders. The fund will deploy capital to small- and mid-sized companies in “economically strong and lender-friendly European regions,” including Benelux, DACH (Germany, Austria & Switzerland) and in the Nordics.

To integrate sustainability factors, the fund will apply screening on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and will also finance “tangible and meaningful measures that a prospective borrower is willing to take to improve its sustainability profile.”

Erik Hylarides, SLF Lead Portfolio Manager, said:

“Our new Sustainable Senior Loan Fund creates a unique opportunity for investors to gain exposure to sustainability-screened loans. It builds on Robeco’s SDG framework, aiming to create real-world impact by targeting and working with firms to improve the sustainable nature of their businesses.”

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