ARBURG have been working with the Carbon Trust for over five years now and in that time our customers have enjoyed the mutual benefit of investing in our ARBURG ALLROUNDER energy efficient equipment and where possible, interest free loans.
 
ARBURG can assist in working with you to gain the necessary information for the application process in order to apply. ARBURG have gained a wealth of experience in this area and with the latest increase on the upper ceiling from £100,000 to £200,000 for the UK (Northern Ireland £400,000) this could be just the incentive for assessing this scheme once again or for the first time.
 
 

 
Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England and Scotland, or all businesses in Wales * that have been trading for at least 12 months, could borrow from £5,000 to £200,000. It is unsecured, interest free and repayable over a period of up to 4 years. There are no arrangement fees and applying is straightforward.

However, all businesses based in Northern Ireland* that have been trading for at least 12 months may be eligible to apply for an unsecured interest free loan of up to £400,000.
 
*Subject to eligibility. Regional variations apply

Essentially private sector organisations that have been trading for at least 12 months and have an acceptable credit rating and fall within the definition of SME (small to medium sized enterprise) in England or Scotland and any business in Wales or Northern Ireland.
 
The EU definition of an SME is an enterprise with:
1) Less than 250 full time equivalent employees
2a) Less than €50m Turnover (approximately £35m) and / or
2b) Less than €43m assets (approximately £30m)
3) No controlling interest of more than 25% by a non-SME (i.e. it is part of a larger organisation).
 
Businesses active in the following Sectors are not eligible for to apply for an Energy-Efficiency loan due to restrictions on de minimis State aid:

		Agricultural sector – any enterprise active in the primary production of agricultural products is generally excluded. However enterprises involved in the processing and marketing of agricultural produce are generally acceptable unless their business is preparing animal or plant produce for the first sale. Such enterprises would also be excluded if the benefit of the loan is passed on to primary producers.
		Export Related sector - if the loan will support export related activities and is directly linked to the quantities exported, to the establishment and operation of a distribution network, or to other current expenditure linked to the export activity.
		Transport sector – we can not provide loans to enterprises, whose core business is road freight transport, for the acquisition of transport vehicles.
		Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors - we are generally unable to make loans to enterprises in these sectors.
		Coal sector - enterprises active in this sector are not eligible.

 
In addition the Carbon Trust does not currently provide loans to enhance the energy efficiency of vehicles.
 
More details www.carbontrust.co.uk
 
We would be happy to discuss this further should you have any questions relating to this matter. Please call us on our sales office number 00441926 457001 or email us