Dec 02, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Metso Corporation and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a Euro 160 million research and development loan agreement. The total loan amount has been subsequently drawn down. This funding is to partly finance Metso's development and innovations related to environmental products and services as well as other strategic R&D programs during the years 2008-2012. Metso's research and development aims at supporting the cost efficiency and sustainability of customers' business operations as well as at improving the overall competitiveness of their products. Metso's technologies and services provide a unique platform for environmentally sustainable industrial processes with high quality end products. The overall loan period is seven years with semiannual installments starting after three years in 2011.