MAIRE has secured a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the development of a large-scale fertiliser complex in Argentina through its Integrated E&C Solutions subsidiary, Tecnimont. The contract was awarded by Fértil Pampa S.A.U., a wholly owned subsidiary of Pampa Energía S.A.
The project will deliver what is set to become the largest urea production facility in Latin America. Located on an 80-hectare site within the Bahía Blanca Industrial Complex in Buenos Aires Province, the complex will comprise a large-scale ammonia plant and two parallel ultra-low energy (ULE) urea production trains, each equipped with its own granulation unit.
With a combined production capacity of 6,000 metric tonnes of urea per day, equivalent to approximately 2.1 million tonnes annually, the facility is expected to significantly strengthen Argentina’s domestic fertiliser production while enhancing its position in regional agricultural markets.
The site has been strategically selected adjacent to Pampa Energía’s existing power generation assets, providing direct access to critical infrastructure, including natural gas pipelines, high-voltage transmission lines, water intake systems and a deep-water export port. These advantages are expected to improve operational efficiency and support domestic distribution as well as international exports.
Tecnimont’s responsibilities under the contract include engineering, procurement, commissioning and start-up activities. MAIRE’s sustainable technology business, Nextchem, will serve as the technology provider, deploying Stamicarbon’s market-leading urea melt and granulation licensing technologies, Process Design Package (PDP) and proprietary equipment. Nextchem will also supply the primary reformer for syngas production through KT Tech, while KBR will provide the ammonia production technology.
The total contract value is approximately €1.3 billion, including around €140 million allocated to Nextchem’s technology package.
Construction activities will be carried out in partnership with SACDE S.A., one of Argentina’s leading construction companies. The project is expected to be completed within 41 months.
Beyond its industrial significance, the development is anticipated to deliver substantial economic benefits for Buenos Aires Province and the wider Argentine economy. During peak construction, the project is expected to create more than 3,500 direct jobs, alongside thousands of additional indirect employment opportunities across the supply chain. The complex is also expected to support the expansion of Argentina’s fertiliser industry and improve the country’s ability to monetise its natural gas resources through downstream industrial development.
Commenting on the award, MAIRE Chief Executive Officer Alessandro Bernini said the project represents an important milestone for the company.
“This award marks our entry into Argentina, further diversifying our geographical footprint, and highlights our ability to integrate Tecnimont’s recognised project execution capabilities alongside Nextchem’s technology portfolio to deliver large-scale industrial projects worldwide,” Bernini said. “We are proud to contribute to the development of this strategic fertiliser complex, which will support the monetisation of natural gas reserves in the domestic downstream sector while strengthening the country’s fertiliser production.”
The contract marks MAIRE’s first major project in Argentina and reinforces the group’s strategy of combining engineering expertise with advanced process technologies to support the global energy, chemicals and industrial sectors.
For more information visit www.groupmaire.com
