AIRBORNE (EGF VD)

Airborne International BV. is a Dutch company, headquartered in The Hague, which specialises in the development and production of advanced specialty composite products as well as automated manufacturing systems for their production. The EIB financing will support investments in research and development (R&D) aimed at developing automated manufacturing solutions and to a lesser extent the development of advanced products for satellite solar panels and high precision antenna applications.

The objectives of the EIB financing are to support the company to mitigate the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and to execute its growth investments mainly in R&D and commercial expansion.

The project supports the policy objective of support for SMEs, as well as innovation and digitalisation by providing tailored venture debt financing to an innovative company in the area of advanced specialty composite products and automated manufacturing systems, acting as a driver of innovation in the sector.

The project entails positive knowledge spill-overs related to the development of innovative and high value-adding solutions both at component level and in integrated and digitalized solutions for a wide range of sectors, and hence strengthens the EU's innovative position in composite products and manufacturing systems.

EIB's financial contribution facilitates the SME's sustainable growth and helps to maintain its technological edge, despite the adverse economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, it provides a positive signalling effect to crowd-in further financing from private investors.

The project activities do not fall under the Annexes I or II of the EU Directive2014/52/EU amending the EIA Directive 2011/92/EU. The project will be carried out in existing facilities, already authorised, that will not change their scope due to the project. As such, the project activities are not subject to a mandatory environmental impact assessment (EIA).

The Promoter is a private company not operating in the utilities sector and not having the status of a contracting entity, and thus is not subject to EU rules on public procurement. Under these conditions, the procurement procedures followed by the Promoter are suitable for the project.