NIB-financed synchrotron lab aligns with green building standards

Aerial image of MAX IV. Photo: Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB

NIB has signed a long-term loan agreement of SEK 1.5 billion (EUR 161 million) with the special-purpose venture Fastighets AB ML 4 for the construction of a synchrotron radiation facility in Lund, Sweden.

The 24-year-maturity loan will finance the construction of the MAX IV synchrotron light laboratory facility, offering scientists of various disciplines access to high-intensity X-rays for material, climate and medical research.

Leased by Lund University, the laboratory building was certified in accordance with the international BREEAM Outstanding (preconstruction phase) certification requirements for environmentally friendly buildings, and has received design-stage certification from the Swedish Miljöbyggand Guld label.

The building was completed in June 2015. Scientific operations will start in summer 2016.

Compared to traditional synchrotron light facilities, the technical design of the building will make operations at the MAX IV laboratory more energy efficient. The electricity required to power the accelerator will be taken from renewable sources, mainly water and wind.

“The NIB loan is helping to establish a unique, sustainable laboratory facility that will provide rare opportunities for scientists. We hope that modern technology and energy efficiency will add value to the scientific research performed by the Lund research cluster”, says Henrik Normann, NIB President & CEO.

Fastighets AB ML 4 is a special-purpose venture established by the real estate company Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB and the construction company Peab. ML 4 owns and maintains the MAX IV laboratory facility. The company has entered into a 25-year rental agreement with Lund University.

NIB is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The Bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

For further information, please contact

NIB
Tore Emanuelsson, Senior Manager, Origination, at +358 10 618 0239,

Dimitrijs Alehins, Senior Communications Specialist, at +358 10 618 0296,

 

Wihlborgs and Fastighets AB ML 4

Arvid Liepe, CFO at Wihlborgs Fastigheter AB, at +46 40 690 57 31

Ulrika Hallengren, CEO at Fastighets AB ML4, at +46 40 690 57 95