MAIRE has secured its first large-scale contract in Argentina, strengthening its international footprint through a €1.3 billion award for the development of what is set to become the largest urea production complex in Latin America. The project, awarded by Fértil Pampa S.A.U., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pampa Energía S.A., combines Tecnimont’s engineering and execution capabilities with NEXTCHEM’s proprietary technologies, highlighting the group’s integrated business model for large industrial projects.
Located within the Bahía Blanca industrial complex in Buenos Aires Province, the facility will cover approximately 80 hectares and include a world-scale ammonia plant alongside two parallel ultra-low energy (ULE) urea production lines, each equipped with its own granulation unit. Once operational, the complex will produce 6,000 tonnes of granular urea per day, equivalent to approximately 2.1 million tonnes annually. Construction is expected to be completed within 41 months.
The strategic location offers direct access to existing gas pipelines, high-voltage transmission lines, water intake systems and a deep-water export port, creating favourable conditions for efficient logistics and large-scale industrial operations.
Integrated technologies drive project execution
Tecnimont’s scope of work includes engineering, procurement, commissioning and start-up activities, while NEXTCHEM will supply the technological package for urea production. The latter accounts for approximately €140 million of the overall contract value and includes Stamicarbon’s market-leading urea synthesis and granulation licensing technologies, the Process Design Package (PDP), proprietary equipment and KT Tech’s primary reformer for syngas production. The ammonia plant will instead be based on technology provided by KBR.
The project will also involve Argentine construction company SACDE S.A., reinforcing the local industrial supply chain throughout the execution phase.
By combining proprietary technologies with engineering and project management expertise, MAIRE continues to strengthen its position in the global fertiliser sector, where energy efficiency, process optimisation and technology integration are becoming increasingly important competitive factors.
Supporting industrial growth and fertiliser production
Beyond its industrial significance, the investment is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Argentina. During peak construction, the project is forecast to create more than 3,500 direct jobs, in addition to a significant number of indirect employment opportunities across the local supply chain.
The new complex is also expected to reinforce Argentina’s downstream natural gas valorisation while expanding domestic fertiliser production capacity and supporting the country’s role in regional agricultural markets.
Commenting on the award, Alessandro Bernini, Chief Executive Officer of MAIRE, said: “This award marks our entry into Argentina, further diversifying our geographical footprint, and highlights our ability to integrate Tecnimont’s recognised project execution capabilities with NEXTCHEM’s technology portfolio to deliver large-scale industrial projects globally. We are proud to contribute to the development of this strategic fertiliser complex for the region, supporting the valorisation of natural gas reserves in the domestic downstream sector while strengthening the country’s fertiliser production.”
The contract represents a significant milestone for MAIRE, combining geographical expansion with advanced process technologies in one of the largest fertiliser investments currently underway in Latin America.
Cover: Envato image
