Norsk Hydro ASA has signed a USD $1.7 billion syndicated revolving multi-currency credit facility with a syndicate of 13 international banks. The facility is for general corporate purposes.

Hydro has since 2007 had a USD $1.7 billion revolving credit facility with maturity in July 2014. This facility has remained undrawn. Hydro has now established a new credit facility, replacing the facility which was to mature in July 2014. The credit facility has a five-year tenor, and includes two one-year extension options.

"This is a confirmation of our core banks' strong support to Hydro," Executive Vice President and CFO Eivind Kallevik says. "The smooth process and the terms concluded reflect trust built over many years, and is a great achievement for the company," he says.

Commerzbank, Handelsbanken and Nordea acted as Co-ordinating Bookrunners and Mandated Lead Arrangers on the transaction. In addition, BNP Paribas, Citibank, Danske Bank, DNB, SEB and Société Générale acted as invited Bookrunners and Mandated Lead Arrangers, and Goldman Sachs, ING, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley participated in the transaction as Lead Arrangers. Nordea acts as facility agent, and Commerzbank acted as documentation agent.