Astarta to get USD 20 mln loan from the EBRD

Astarta (AST PW), in a statement posted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, announced that it has signed an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a USD 20 mln five-year loan. Astarta plans to use the funds to refinance debt, increase energy efficiency at its sugar refineries and purchase farm machinery. Astarta received a prior USD 20 mln seven-year loan from the EBRD in May 2008 to increase production efficiency and reduce energy consumption.