Tecnimont Secures Major Contract for Fertilizer Complex in Argentina

On July 22, 2026, Maire announced that its subsidiary Tecnimont has been awarded a substantial contract valued at approximately €1.3 billion by Fértil Pampa S.A.U., a branch of Pampa Energia S.A. The contract is to engineer, procure, commission, and oversee the start-up activities for a large-scale fertilizer complex in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. This facility, once completed, will emerge as the largest urea plant in Latin America, with an impressive annual production capacity of 2.1 million tons of granular urea.

Located on an 80-hectare site within the Bahía Blanca Industrial Complex, the plant will consist of a large ammonia production unit and two ultra-low energy (ULE) urea trains, each having its own granulation unit. This strategic positioning benefits from close proximity to Pampa's existing power generation assets and critical infrastructure such as gas pipelines, high-voltage transmission lines, water intake systems, and a deep-water export port. This logistical efficiency is pivotal for the successful operation of the facility.

Tecnimont's responsibilities for this vast undertaking include not only engineering and procurement tasks but also essential commissioning and start-up activities. The project will utilize advanced technologies from Nextchem, which specializes in urea production processes. Nextchem’s cutting-edge urea melt and granulation licensing technologies, alongside their proprietary equipment and the primary reformer for syngas production provided by KT Tech, underscore the project’s innovative nature. Additionally, KBR will supply the ammonia production technology, further enhancing the project's technological robustness.

Among the €1.3 billion contract total, €140 million is allocated specifically for the technology package from Nextchem. Execution of the project will also see collaboration with SACDE S.A., a leading Argentinian construction firm, signifying a strong local partnership.

The completion of this fertilizer complex is anticipated within a span of 41 months. Given the scale and significance of this initiative, it is expected to provide considerable socio-economic benefits to the Buenos Aires province. At its peak construction phase, the project could create more than 3,500 direct jobs along with numerous indirect employment opportunities throughout the supply chain.

Alessandro Bernini, CEO of Maire, emphasized that this contract not only marks their entry into Argentina but also reflects the company's commitment to geographical diversification. He highlighted the ability of Tecnimont's noted project execution capabilities to synergize with Nextchem's diverse technology offerings to deliver large-scale industrial projects globally. This ancillary development in Argentina is set to significantly bolster the domestic fertilizer production capabilities and support the monetization of natural gas reserves in the local downstream sector. Furthermore, it will enhance Argentina's role within regional markets.

In conclusion, as the construction of this fertilizer complex progresses, stakeholders are optimistic about the economic dividends it will generate both locally and regionally. The integration of advanced technology with large-scale industrial operations is indicative of the future pathway for the fertilization supply chain in South America, setting a benchmark for sustainable practices and innovation in this sector.