The recent entry of Yousef Al Nowais, leader of Arab Development Company, into the capital of NEXTCHEM marks a new chapter in MAIRE's expansion strategy. A partner of the group since 2013, Al Nowais brings his support in one of the most strategic and dynamic areas of the global energy landscape: the Middle East. This operation is part of the group's 10-year reorganization aimed at enhancing NEXTCHEM and its sustainable solutions through an innovative and flexible organizational model.

Indeed, with its strategy to 2033, MAIRE aims to consolidate its position in a rapidly changing energy scenario, characterized by significant investments and a growing need for solutions to decarbonize existing and new plants. By offering flexible technological answers targeted to customers' needs.

The operating plan is based on two key pillars. The Integrated E&C Solutions business unit (TECNIMONT) is focused on the management and execution of large energy projects, while the SustainableTechnology Solutions business unit, led by NEXTCHEM, uses its expertise in process engineering and proprietary technologies to provide end-to-end solutions in key areas: fertilizer, hydrogen, chemicals, circular fuels and polymers. These elements represent essential building blocks for the decarbonization of industry.

A 10-year plan

With a new organizational structure designed to make the most of the opportunities associated with the energy transition, MAIRE's 10-year plan aims for revenues in excess of 10 billion euros by 2033, with a projected EBITDA of one billion and more than one billion euros in investments.

"The results for the first nine months of 2024 – explains Alessandro Bernini, CEO of MAIRE – show steady double-digit growth in key metrics and an increase in profitability. With the new Sustainable Technology Solutions business unit organization, led by NEXTCHEM, we are at the forefront of offering innovative and scalable solutions to meet the growing global demand for sustainable energy and industrial processes."

Bernini also highlights the role of the Integrated E&C Solutions business unit, which continues to strengthen its engineering capabilities as a result of the expanding investment cycle in the energy sector. "Our workforce has surpassed 9,300 people, and the recent acquisition of APS Group has further strengthened our multidisciplinary teams. With an order backlog of €14.8 billion and high visibility on future growth, our successes confirm the soundness of our strategic initiatives."

The new structure

MAIRE has chosen a divisional model to meet the challenges of the energy transition, clearly distinguishing the activities of its two main business units, TECNIMONT and NEXTCHEM. "We focused on a model with two distinct brands to separate two worlds that differ in processes and competencies, but work together in projects, as the technology business unit complements the other, " Bernini explains. The reorganization has enabled the Group to focus more closely on the projects themselves, making it possible to implement innovative initiatives and attract new talent. A significant aspect has been the interest shown by young people, being particularly sensitive to sustainability issues, and who found the Group's activities to be highly appealing.

Part of the Group's growth is driven by the Sustainable Technology Solutions offered by NEXTCHEM, which has established itself as a benchmark in the industry. "NEXTCHEM is the fruit of a century of innovation in chemistry, focused in 2018 on accelerating the green transition. Since 2023, the Sustainable Technology Solutions business unit, led by NEXTCHEM, has further strengthened its role by acquiring four technology companies and integrating core competencies from three other Group companies." This approach has accelerated efforts toward sustainability, positioning MAIRE as a leader in providing innovative and scalable solutions for an increasingly green industry.

Three lines of business for NEXTCHEM

NEXTCHEM's new organization is divided into three distinct business lines designed to address the major challenges of energy and industrial transformation. This streamlined approach – which aims to capitalize on the Group's strengths – responds effectively to customer and market needs.

The reorganization, led by NEXTCHEM's new MD Fabio Fritelli, has given further impetus to NEXTCHEM, which now focuses on three strategic areas: Sustainable Fertilizers, Low Carbon Energy Vectors, and Circular Solutions. "This new structure – Fritelli explains – aims to improve operational efficiency, expand target markets and accelerate the development of sustainable and scalable technologies. Among the priorities, ensuring the economic sustainability of projects and fostering significant employment spillovers remains key."

Sustainable Fertilizers leverages NEXTCHEM's global leadership in urea technologies, advancing the development of solutions for nitrogen-based products. This includes both fertilizers and the use of ammonia as an energy carrier, with the goal of improving sustainability in the agricultural sector.

Low Carbon Energy Vectors, on the other hand, builds on established expertise in hydrogen production and sulfur recovery. The goal is to develop technologies that can support the transition to low- or zero-emission fuels and chemicals, as well as convert carbon into sustainable plastics. These innovations support the decarbonization of crucial sectors such as aviation, shipping, and chemicals.

Circular Solutions, finally, is dedicated to promoting the circular economy by turning waste into valuable chemical resources. Using advanced mechanical and chemical recycling technologies, this line of business aims to create sustainable pathways for the recovery and reuse of materials.

Concrete and scalable answers

Strongly focused on sustainability, NEXTCHEM's new structure therefore represents a significant advance in the innovation journey, consolidating its position as a technology leader in the global energy transition. MAIRE approaches this transformation with an integrated approach, taking advantage of every technological opportunity, from renewable hydrogen production to circular hydrogen production: the latter aims to transform municipal and special waste into resources, intercepting more than 21 million tons of waste that today ends up in landfills or is exported. In fact, it is a technology that makes it possible to produce hydrogen at competitive costs and puts Italy among the leading European producers.

With a view to circularity, technologies such as NX Replast, for advanced recycling of plastic waste, and Waste-to-X solutions, which convert waste into chemical resources and bioenergy, are at the heart of the circular economy promoted by NEXTCHEM. This commitment is reinforced by a broad and flexible technology portfolio designed to meet customer needs with customized solutions throughout the project lifecycle. With a vision that is attentive to international regulations and global changes, MAIRE thus confirms itself as a leader capable of combining innovation and sustainability, offering concrete and scalable answers to environmental and industrial challenges.