NEXTCHEM secures two China contracts, deploying NX STAMI™ nitrate and urea technologies to boost fertilizer efficiency, sustainability, and energy performance.
MAIRE has announced that its sustainable technology arm, NEXTCHEM, has secured two significant contract awards in China through its nitrogen technology licensor, Stamicarbon. These new projects highlight the Group’s strong positioning in advanced fertilizer technologies and reaffirm its commitment to delivering practical, efficiency-oriented, and environmentally responsible solutions tailored to the evolving requirements of the global fertilizer industry.
Under the first award, NEXTCHEM will supply the technology license and Process Design Package (PDP) for a newly planned nitric acid production facility in China. This project will deploy Stamicarbon’s advanced mono-pressure nitric acid technology, part of the proprietary NX STAMI™ Nitrates technology portfolio. A defining feature of this solution is the use of oxygen instead of air as the process feed, a design choice that allows for substantially higher energy recovery. By maximizing process efficiency and minimizing losses, the technology supports lower operating costs while also reducing the overall environmental footprint of nitric acid production.
The award reflects the Group’s extensive experience in nitrogen-based technologies and its ongoing efforts to industrialize solutions that combine high efficiency with reduced emissions. Nitric acid is a critical intermediate in fertilizer manufacturing, with roughly 80% of global nitric acid output ultimately directed toward fertilizer applications. As a result, innovations that improve energy efficiency and lower emissions in nitric acid production play a crucial role in enhancing the sustainability of agricultural supply chains worldwide. By introducing advanced mono-pressure technology into the Chinese market, NEXTCHEM is contributing to more resilient and environmentally responsible fertilizer production at scale.
In addition to the new nitric acid plant, NEXTCHEM has also been awarded a second contract related to the modernization of an existing nitrogen fertilizer complex in Northern China. This project involves the revamping of an operational urea plant using the proprietary NX STAMI™ Urea technology. As part of this agreement, NEXTCHEM will deliver the license and PDP, along with dedicated technical assistance services to support implementation and optimization.
The revamp is designed to significantly reduce steam consumption, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and lowering operating costs. At the same time, the upgrade will help optimize capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX), extending the productive life of the existing asset while aligning it with modern performance and sustainability standards. Such revamping projects are increasingly important in mature fertilizer markets, where improving efficiency and reducing emissions from existing plants can deliver rapid environmental and economic benefits without the need for entirely new facilities.
Commenting on the announcements, Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NEXTCHEM, emphasized that the two awards demonstrate the company’s ability to translate proprietary, cutting-edge technologies into measurable efficiency improvements for customers. He noted that these projects clearly support NEXTCHEM’s broader strategy of accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable, competitive fertilizer value chain while further strengthening its long-term presence in strategically important markets such as China.
Together, the two contracts underline MAIRE and NEXTCHEM’s growing role as key technology partners for fertilizer producers seeking to enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and remain competitive in an increasingly sustainability-driven global market.
