EIB Backs PWO Automotive Expansion in Serbia with €15 Million Loan

The 16,500-square-metre factory, which opened last year, represents a €31 million total investment. Beyond the EIB loan, the funding package includes €12 million from PWO Group and €4 million from the Serbian government. The site focuses on the production of advanced, lightweight metal components, specifically targeting the growing market for electrified vehicles.

Carlo Lazzarini, CEO of PWO Group, identified Eastern Europe as a critical growth region, noting that proximity to major automotive customers—ranging from vehicle manufacturers to Tier 1 suppliers—is essential for efficiency. The facility also hosts a Shared Service Centre, providing a foundation for future production scaling. EIB Director Richard Amor emphasized that the project promotes technology transfer and strengthens the resilience of the European automotive sector by integrating Serbian manufacturing into broader industrial networks.

For the Serbian economy, the investment signifies more than a new payroll. It facilitates the arrival of advanced cold-formed metal technologies and opens secondary business opportunities for local service providers. Julian Vassallo, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, stated that such projects are pivotal for the country’s integration into European supply chains. This marks PWO’s first loan from an international financial institution, adding to the €3.4 billion the EIB has channeled into the Serbian private sector to date.