IDB Invest Supports Natura in a Sustainability-Linked Bond Focused on Bio-Ingredients from the Amazon Region
- IDB Invest participated as an investor in the public offering, linked to the company's sustainability goals
Natura Cosméticos S.A. received investments from IDB Invest of R$200 million. The operation follows the announcement of Natura's 13th debenture issuance in the format of sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) for R$1.32 billion.
IDB Invest joined as an impact investor, promoting markets of sustainable capital in the area to create social and economic impact. This transaction is supported by the Amazonia Forever program, from the IDB Group, and will contribute to Natura’s sustainability strategy through its nature-based solutions to sustainable development in the Amazon.
“This issuance shows the potential of Sustainability-Linked Bonds to remodel all of the sustainable debt markets industry and generate bigger impact,” stated Guillermo Foscarini, Managing Director of Corporates Division of IDB Invest. “The private sector is crucial to generate more impact in the Amazonian region, and IDB Invest is 100% committed to supporting it, strengthening innovative financial instruments, and attracting more capital for inclusive and sustainable growth.”
To date, IDB Invest has supported its clients in issuing 41 labeled bond issuances in the region for the equivalent total of $3.6 billion.
The issuance was structured as a Sustainability-Linked Bond, focused on the development of bio-ingredients from Amazonian socio-biodiversity. One of the main commitments is developing Amazonian bioingredients, which are already part of many product ranges. Up until now, the company has developed 44 bioingredients, and the business model that has been under implementation in the Amazon for 25 years has contributed to preserving 2.2 million forest hectares in partnership with over ten thousand local families. The goal is to expand to 49 bioingredients by 2027.
"This issuance represents a significant step in Natura's commitment to sustainability and strengthening the Amazon region bioeconomy. This move is essential not just to fight climate crisis, but also to promote substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits to the region. Brazil has an immense potential to globally lead this business model that harmonizes income generation with environmental conservation, and one of the big challenges is to value and expand on the countless little production chains, rich in socioenvironmental diversity and define the Amazonian region,” explains Silvia Vilas Boas, Vice President of Finance at Natura. “Widening bioeconomy is crucial and, for that, we need to strengthen all its encompassing ecosystem. The issuing is a powerful tool to help us reach this goal,” concludes the executive.
It will support sustainable supply chains of agroforestry systems, contributing to the Amazonian bioeconomy. On top of that, the sustainability-linked bond will simultaneously help transform the Amazonian bioeconomy as it contributes to preserve the forest.
The second-party opinion was prepared by Bureau Veritas Brasil, confirming the framework alignment with the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) Principles, as well as with the International Loan Market Association (LMA)’s Principles and with the best practices set by ANBIMA’s Sustainable Finance Guide.
The deal contributes to the following Sustainable Development Objectives (SDGs) of the United Nations: 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and 15 (Life on Land).
About IDB Invest
IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, is a multilateral development bank committed to promoting the economic development of its member countries in Latin America and the Caribbean through the private sector. IDB Invest finances sustainable companies and projects to achieve financial results and maximize economic, social, and environmental development in the region. With a portfolio of $21 billion in assets under management and 394 clients in 25 countries, IDB Invest provides innovative financial solutions and advisory services that meet the needs of its clients in a variety of industries.
About Natura
Founded in 1969, Natura is a Brazilian multinational in the hygiene and cosmetics industry. It has 3.5 million consultants in Latin America and is the leader in the direct sales sector in Brazil. It was the first publicly traded company to receive B Corporation certification worldwide in December 2014, reinforcing its transparent and sustainable practices in social, environmental, and economic aspects. It is also the first Brazilian company to earn the "The Leaping Bunny" seal, awarded by the animal protection organization Cruelty Free International in 2018, which certifies the company's commitment to not testing its products or ingredients on animals. With operations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, the United States, France, Mexico, Peru, and Malaysia, Natura's products can be purchased through direct selling, e-commerce, the Natura app, in its own stores, or in the "Aqui tem Natura" franchises.