Schroders has raised a further €223m for its European infrastructure debt fund.

The Schroder Euro Enhanced Infrastructure Debt Fund II fund, also known as Julie II, had a €312m first close in July last year.

The Julie II fund was launched in the third quarter of last year and aims to invest in European sub-investment grade infrastructure debt opportunities with a target of €750m in total, the manager said. The predecessor fund raised €350m in 2017.

The manager said Julie II, which targets focuses on mid-sized brownfield core assets, has so far deployed 25% of its capital in four transactions.

Augustin Segard, Schroders head of enhanced infrastructure Debt, said: “Investing in infrastructure is key to supporting the world’s growing population and boosting economies.

“We remain convinced that there are attractive investment opportunities in the sub-investment grade infrastructure debt space and have continued our good start with the deployment of this second vintage.”

Jerome Neyroud, Schroders head of infrastructure debt, said: “We have now raised more than €1bn for EUR and GBP sub-investment grade infrastructure debt strategies.

“We are very pleased with these recent developments that are the consequences of our team being one of the first movers in this market.”

Peter Arnold, Schroders co-head of private asset sales, said: “Julie II has made excellent progress since first close a few months ago as we have already raised more than 70% of our target of €750m.

“The notable interest in Julie II shown by our existing global partners as well as new clients that have joined this close provides further evidence of their trust in Schroders ability to deliver investment performance that closely matches their objectives.”

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