Anglo-Dutch food-to-detergents concern Unilever has secured a $1.5bn loan, reports the Financieele Dagblad on Tuesday. The paper did not report what the extra cash will be used for.

Last week Unilever reported a 28% increase in net profit in 2008 to almost €5.3bn. Turnover rose 1% to €40.5bn in the same period.
CEO Paul Polman declined to make a forecast for 2009 or confirm 2010 targets because of the uncertain economic climate.