Tecnimont lands 1.3 billion euro Argentina deal

Tecnimont has secured a €1.3 billion contract to design, procure, commission and start up a new fertilizer complex in Argentina, marking the firm’s first major project in the country.

Project scope and technical partners

The agreement was signed with Fértil Pampa S.A.U., a subsidiary of Pampa Energía S.A., for a plant that will produce up to 6,000 metric tons of urea daily – roughly 2.1 million tons a year – making it the largest urea facility in Latin America. The complex will sit on an 80‑hectare site inside the Bahía Blanca Industrial Complex, Buenos Aires Province, next to Pampa’s power generation assets.

Key infrastructure such as gas pipelines, high‑voltage lines, water intake and a deep‑water export port will be directly accessible, which should simplify logistics and reduce operating costs. The plant will feature a large ammonia unit and two parallel ultra‑low‑energy (ULE) urea trains, each equipped with its own granulation line.

NextChem was chosen to supply the urea technology, drawing on Stamicarbon’s melt and granulation licensing and its Process Design Package. The primary reformer for syngas production will be provided by KT Tech, while KBR will deliver the ammonia technology. Construction will be handled by Argentine firm SACDE S.A., a leader in local civil works.

Economic impact and timeline

The contract’s total value is about €1.3 billion, with €140 million allocated to NextChem’s technology package. The project is slated for completion in 41 months, a timeline that reflects the complexity of integrating multiple technology providers and the scale of the facility.

Peak construction activity is expected to create more than 3,500 direct jobs, with additional indirect employment throughout the supply chain. Officials anticipate that the complex will bolster Argentina’s fertilizer supply chain and help monetize domestic natural‑gas reserves.

Alessandro Bernini, chief executive of MAIRE, said the award “marks our entry in Argentina, further diversifying our geographical footprint,” and highlighted the collaboration between Tecnimont’s execution capabilities and NextChem’s technology portfolio.

For farmers in the region, the new plant could mean a steadier supply of urea at more predictable prices, reducing reliance on imports and potentially lowering production costs for staple crops.

If the complex operates as planned, it may also stimulate ancillary services such as transportation, maintenance and local manufacturing, creating a ripple effect in the provincial economy.

Financing arrangements were not disclosed at signing, but the scale suggests involvement of both domestic and international lenders.

The location’s proximity to a deep‑water port offers a clear export route, positioning Argentina to serve neighboring markets with surplus fertilizer.

The contract signals confidence in Argentina’s energy and agricultural sectors, yet it also places Tecnimont under pressure to deliver on schedule.

Successful execution could pave the way for future contracts in South America.

Delays might affect the company’s reputation for large‑scale project delivery.