Luxembourg, 17/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European investment Bank is granting a 100 million euro loan over 12 years to Instituto de Credito Oficial (ICO) to finance a part of the cost of the investment programme of Aceralia Corporacion Siderugica. This 2000/2004 programme provides for improving the range of products offered, notably by the manufacture of a new quality of steel intended for more sophisticated uses, as well as the maintenance and renewal of installations, says the EIB. Investments are also aimed at improving environmental protection by the recycling of secondary steel products, for example, says the bank. Aid will benefit the sites of the Acelaria group in Aviles y Gijon (Asturias), Etxebarri y Olaberria (Basque country) and Lesaka (Navarra).