Cathay United Bank closes green trade loan with Apeiron Bioenergy

In Singapore, Cathay United Bank (CUB) Singapore Branch saw its long-term commitment to green finance bear fruit in the final quarter last year after it closed a green trade loan deal with Apeiron Bioenergy (Apeiron), a leading player in Singapore’s sustainable energy sector. The entire loan proceeds will support Apeiron’s procurement of used cooking oil (UCO) for the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), thereby demonstrating CUB’s resolve to advance net zero sustainability.

As the transport hub of Southeast Asia and one of Asia’s major financial centers, Singapore has spared no effort in promoting the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint as well as clean energy for the aviation industry. In comparison to traditional aviation fuel, SAF has the potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the air transport industry by up to 80%, thus making energy management all the more efficient. As the first bank in Taiwan to sign the Equator Principles, CUB is deeply committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and has assisted its customers in their low carbon transition through diverse financial services. As of the end of 2023, the balance of CUB’s sustainable loans to customers at home and abroad reached an astounding $1.99 billion.