Carbon Trust Interest-free Loans Scheme for Save It Easy® Customers
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.
*i.e. non-SME companies, 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:
- Less than 250 full time equivalent employees
- a) Less than €50m Turnover (approximately £35m) and / or
b) Less than €43m assets (approximately £30m)
- 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 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 – The Carbon Trust will not provide loans to obtain, improve or otherwise adapt vehicles. The Carbon Trust does not currently provide loans to enhance the energy efficiency of vehicles.
Fisheries and Aquaculture sectors – The Carbon Trust are generally unable to make loans to enterprises in these sectors.
Coal sector – enterprises active in this sector are not eligible.
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