Ukraine, together with its European partners, is launching a new EU4Green Recovery East project aimed at developing a circular economy, sustainable water management and environmental data management, said Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
“The initiative covers the Eastern Partnership countries and will help them promote reforms. It will last for four years and has a total budget of 21.5 million euros. For Ukraine, which is on the verge of large-scale reconstruction, this is a great opportunity and significant assistance,” Hrynchuk wrote on Facebook.
She pointed out that, together with UNDP, Ukraine is currently working on a draft law “On Green Recovery,” which is fully consistent with the Green Taxonomy and EU experience. It will become Ukraine’s strategy for sustainable recovery, the minister emphasized.
“In addition, EU4Green Recovery East is an opportunity for Ukrainian businesses to increase resource efficiency and create new jobs,” she added.
The first steps have already been taken in preparing a work plan to adapt the Program’s activities to the specific needs of Ukraine. Technical meetings of experts in the relevant fields are ahead.
“The strategic partnership with the EU has already had its results, including in the field of environmental protection. In times of war, it is our support and our rear. I am confident that in the time of Ukraine’s reconstruction, these will be our joint successes and achievements,” summarized Hrynchuk.
The State Enterprise Guaranteed Buyer has announced an auction for the distribution of a quota to support the capacity of “other types” of renewable energy sources, which means bio- and small hydro generation.
According to the auction terms posted on the Guaranteed Buyer’s website, applications for participation are accepted until 20.00 on May 11, and the auction will be held in the Prozorro Sale system at 12.55 on May 12.
The term of the support is 12 years after confirmation of the commissioning of the facility for which the winner of the auction has acquired the right to support.
The maximum price offer of the participant is 12 euro cents/1 kWh.
As reported, investors ignored the first auction in 2025 to allocate a quota for the support of new capacity for 33 MW of solar power plants, which was to be held on March 13.
The maximum price offer of a participant is 8 euro cents/1 kWh. The support period is 12 years.
In an interview with Energoreforma at the end of January, Vladyslav Sokolovskyi, Chairman of the Board of the Solar Energy Association of Ukraine, noted that it is not possible to count on a successful “green” auction in March 2025, where the quota for the construction of 33 MW of SPPs will be distributed, since the quota for SPPs is very small, according to him.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has set a total quota of 330 MW for green energy support for 2025: 250 MW for wind power plants, 33 MW for solar power plants, and 47 MW for plants using other types of alternative energy sources (except for wind, solar, blast furnace and coke oven gas, and only for micro, mini, and small hydropower plants).
In April 2025, auctions for 100 MW of wind power are to be held, and in July – for another 150 MW of wind power.
“Green” auctions were first introduced in 2024, but they ended in failure. There were no bids for the October 31 solar auction, and only one bid for the November 29 wind auction (according to the Ukrainian Wind Energy Association, from Atlas Global Energy LLC, a company with Turkish investments). Thus, both auctions were recognized as failed. In October-November, only about 0.9 MW of small hydropower was identified for support, while another 0.6 MW remained in question.
In February 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ) reduced the volume of grain cargo transportation to export destinations to 2,363.1 thousand tons, which is 496.3 thousand tons, or 17.4% less compared to January 2025, said Valery Tkachev, Deputy Director of the
Commercial Department, at a meeting of the UZ Exporters Office on Wednesday.
According to him, in February 2025, 2,171.0 thousand tons were transported to ports, which is 455.7 thousand tons, or 17.3%, less than in January this year, and 192.1 thousand tons were transported through land border crossings (40.6 thousand tons, or 17.5% less).
“Compared to February 2025/2024, the volume of grain cargo transportation in export traffic decreased by 28.5% (by 941.1 thsd tonnes),” emphasized the representative of UZ.
Mr. Tkachev noted that in January-February 2025, UZ transported 5,222.5 thousand tons of grain cargo for export, which is 1,448.2 thousand tons, or 21.7%, less than in the same period of 2024.
At the same time, 4 797.6 thsd tonnes were transported to ports in two months of 2025, and 424.9 thsd tonnes were transported through land crossings.
Therefore, the share of transportation volumes in the export traffic of grain cargoes in the direction of ports is currently 92%, and 8% by land.
External financing of the state budget as of 01.06.2024, billion USD
Source: Open4Business.com.ua
Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill is taking another step towards sustainable production by turning industrial waste into cost-effective fuel. Thanks to investments from an Austrian owner, the company has established the use of shredded film as an alternative energy resource, which allows the plant’s partners to reduce the cost of traditional energy sources.
Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness are the basic principles of the sustainable development strategy of PrJSC Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill, developed jointly with the Austrian beneficiary Pulp Mill Holding. In the context of the war and economic crisis in Ukraine, it is the rational use of resources that can be a lifeline for the domestic industry.
As a closed-loop industrial enterprise, Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill depends on stable investments. Despite the challenging economic environment, PMH Director Dr. Heinz Zinner initiated a large-scale program to upgrade production lines. During the war, the plant invested EUR 15 million in re-equipment, including about EUR 10 million in 2024.
One of the key vectors of KCPM’s modernization is to increase production efficiency. Last year, the plant launched an ambitious environmental project aimed at the rational use of resources – the installation of a high-tech shredder for harness processing, which allows separating waste in the recycling process and obtaining valuable secondary materials: alternative SRF fuel and metal wire.
Shredded film – ready-made SRF fuel
Kyiv-based CPM is moving towards the most environmentally friendly and efficient production model. At the initiative of Dr. Heinz Zinner, the plant invested EUR 710 thousand in the purchase of a shredder. The new equipment is now processing over 200 tons of harness per month. It is planned that in the near future the Obukhiv plant will be able to increase this figure to half a thousand tons.
This approach opens up several strategic opportunities for Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill:
● First, it is an important step towards a completely waste-free production;
Secondly, the plant expands its customer network, as the film converted into SRF fuel can be sold to cement plants and other industrial enterprises interested in reducing energy costs.
Paper production waste is now 100% recyclable
SRF is a solid fuel produced by Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill from waste paper recycling. Today, Ukraine has already implemented more than 40 European standards that regulate the production, use and commercial circulation of SRF fuel.
In addition to the environmental benefits, SRF allows KCPM’s customers to save money by replacing traditional, more expensive and scarce energy sources such as coal and gas with an affordable and efficient alternative. The fuel made from recycled film has a high calorific value and, as a result, significant energy value at an affordable price.
Thus, a responsible approach to recycling and optimizing energy consumption creates new market opportunities not only for Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill but also for its partners.
Heinz Zinner, KPK, Kyiv Cardboard and Paper Mill, Kyiv Pulp and Paper Mill, Pulp Mill Holding
Italian insurer Assicurazioni Generali SpA cut net profit by 0.6% in 2024, with adjusted and operating profit rising to record highs. According to a press release from the insurer, net profit for 2024 was €3.72 billion, up from €3.75 billion a year earlier.
Adjusted net income rose 5.4% to a record €3.77 billion, or €2.45 per share, from €3.58 billion, or €2.32 per share, in 2023.
Generali’s operating profit rose 8.2% to €7.3 billion last year, also a record.
The company’s adjusted and operating profit matched its consensus forecast.
Generali’s gross premiums amounted to €95.19 billion in 2024, up 14.9% year-on-year. Premiums in the life insurance segment increased by 19.2%, in the property and casualty division by 7.7%.
The capital adequacy ratio of the insurer within the framework of the Pan-European requirements “Solvency-2” (Solvency II) at the end of December amounted to 210% compared to 220% at the end of the previous year. The company explains the decrease in the indicator by the effect of acquisitions, as well as from the buyback of shares in the amount of 500 million euros.
Generali plans to increase its dividend by 11.7% to €1.43 per share. The company expects a compound annual growth rate of 8-10% for its adjusted earnings per share and more than 10% for dividends in 2025-2027. Generali intends to repurchase €500 million worth of shares in 2025, and at least €1.5 billion worth over three years. Generali’s capitalization has risen about 17% since the beginning of the year to 49.96 billion euros, while Italy’s FTSE MIB index has added about 12% over the period.
