PetStar Group, the market leader in PET bottle recycling and PET preform production, operating under the “Bottle-to-Bottle” circular model, has signed a €50 million credit facility agreement with UniCredit Bank, acting as sole lender.
PCF Investment Banking acted as exclusive financial advisor to PetStar Group, overseeing the structuring, negotiation, and execution of the transaction. Legal counsel was provided by Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen (NNDKP) for the borrower and by Wolf Theiss for the lender.
The multi-tranche loan facility will support PetStar in reshaping its overall financial structure and enabling its accelerated expansion in a highly dynamic market. The funds will be allocated to working capital needs as well as the buyback of a minority equity stake from investment fund AMC Capital, thereby positioning the group for sustainable long-term growth.
“PetStar together with PCF Investment Banking, UniCredit Bank, and our legal partners, we have designed a robust financing structure tailored to our Group’s specific needs and current market dynamics. This funding provides a solid foundation for accelerating our development and consolidating our leadership in an increasingly competitive sector. PetStar is now equipped to scale operations, generate added value, and play a pivotal role in advancing a national objective: building a circular economy in PET recycling. We are also investing in cutting-edge technology that transforms waste into a valuable national resource”, stated Mirela Drăgoi, CEO & Co-Founder of PetStar Group.
“At UniCredit Bank, we are committed to supporting the Romanian economy by directing financing towards sustainable businesses with strong growth potential. We are pleased to provide this facility to a Romanian entrepreneurial company ready to take a significant step forward in its development. This is a transaction that brings us great professional satisfaction, allowing us to support PetStar at a pivotal moment and help elevate its business to the next level. Transactions like these reaffirm the importance of our expertise and our ability to meet our clients’ evolving needs”, said Adrian Pârvulescu, Head of Corporate Banking, UniCredit Bank.
“We are proud to continue our mission of supporting champions of Romanian entrepreneurship by offering them sophisticated financial services. PetStar is a prime example of how a family-owned business, guided by patience, resilience, and long-term vision, can become a market leader. The recently finalised transaction, in partnership with a strong and open-minded bank like UniCredit, lays excellent groundwork for sustainable development”, added Mihai Iordan, Managing Partner, PCF Investment Banking.
“We are pleased to have once again supported PetStar in a milestone transaction that strengthens its market position. PetStar’s trajectory is a success story that demonstrates the strength of Romanian entrepreneurship. We are grateful for the trust placed in our team and remain committed to supporting innovative and ambitious local companies”, stated Alina Radu, Partner at NNDKP.
“We are honoured to have advised UniCredit Bank in this complex and strategic transaction. Our role in the legal structuring and implementation of this transaction reflects Wolf Theiss’ commitment to delivering top-tier legal services in support of sustainable business development in Romania. We are proud to contribute to initiatives that promote the transition towards a circular economy”, said Claudia Chiper, Partner at Wolf Theiss.
About PetStar
In 2024, PetStar recycled approximately 30% of the PET packaging collected by RetuRO as part of Romania’s Deposit Return System. The recycled material was reintroduced into the production cycle through the manufacturing of new PET preforms for the mineral water and soft drinks sector.
About PCF
PCF Investment Banking is one of Romania’s leading independent financial advisory firms, specialising in investment banking services for entrepreneurial companies and private capital groups. With strong expertise in complex financing, M&A, capital raising, and restructuring, PCF delivers structured solutions tailored to the realities of both local and regional markets. To date, the firm has advised on over 100 transactions with a combined value exceeding €3 billion, earning a reputation as a trusted partner to major players in the Romanian economy.
About UniCredit Bank
UniCredit Bank is part of the UniCredit Group, a pan-European commercial bank serving more than 15 million clients across Italy, Germany, Central and Eastern Europe. In Romania, UniCredit Bank ranks among the top financial institutions, offering high-quality products and services to all customer segments. The bank is committed to placing clients at the centre of its operations and contributing actively to the communities it serves.
Digitalisation and ESG principles are core pillars of UniCredit’s strategy, driving value creation for clients, communities, and employees alike.
About NNDKP
Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen (NNDKP) is a pioneer of business law in Romania and a full-service law firm recognised for its comprehensive legal and tax consultancy across all major industries. For over 35 years, NNDKP has supported landmark transactions that shaped Romania’s business landscape.
NNDKP is a founding member of SEE Legal and the Three Seas Legal Alliance, and represents Romania in international legal networks including Lex Mundi, World Services Group, and International Attorneys Club. The firm is consistently ranked among the top legal advisors by Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500, and IFLR1000, and has won the Chambers Europe Romania Law Firm of the Year award seven times.
About Wolf Theiss
Founded in 1957, Wolf Theiss is one of the leading law firms in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe (CEE/SEE). With over 390 lawyers across 13 countries, more than 80% of its mandates involve cross-border representation of international clients.
Operating in Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine, Wolf Theiss provides legal and tax advice to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, commerce, financial services, and insurance. The firm blends legal insight with business acumen to deliver practical, commercially focused solutions.
