NEXTCHEM, a subsidiary of MAIRE, has completed the acquisition of the Ballestra Group, including Ballestra S.p.A. and its Mazzoni brand, BUSS ChemTech AG (Switzerland), and Ballestra Engineering and Projects Pvt. Ltd. (India). The acquisition strengthens NEXTCHEM’s technology portfolio and expands its presence in sustainable fertilizers, advanced materials chemistry, and bio-based detergents.
Expands Capabilities in Strategic Materials
The deal broadens NEXTCHEM’s proprietary technologies across the full nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer spectrum while adding expertise in sulfuric, phosphoric and hydrofluoric acids, fluorine derivatives for lithium-ion batteries, and gas-liquid reactors for specialty chemicals.
Additionally, the acquisition integrates around 460 employees across Italy, Switzerland, and India, enhancing the company’s global process engineering capabilities and expanding its European innovation network with laboratories and demonstration plants.
Creates New Growth Opportunities
As per the company’s press release, the integration also opens new cross-selling opportunities with Tecnimont, MAIRE’s Integrated Engineering & Construction Solutions (IE&CS) business unit, particularly in industrial plant projects, revamping and material transformation.
Ballestra’s expertise also strengthens NEXTCHEM’s position in strategic materials for electrification, including technologies for lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic applications, while reinforcing its leadership in sustainable detergents, surfactants, soaps, and oleochemical process technologies through the Mazzoni brand.
Transaction and Leadership
NEXTCHEM acquired Ballestra for €148.2 million through a combination of cash and dedicated bank financing. Ballestra will continue to operate under the leadership of Paolo Iengo.
Commenting on the acquisition, MAIRE CEO Alessandro Bernini said the deal marks a strategic milestone that strengthens NEXTCHEM’s position in high-growth markets while accelerating the development of its global technology platform.
