Nitrogen+Syngas 399 Jan-Feb 2026
27 January 2026
NextChem acquires Ballestra Group
NextChem has signed a binding agreement to acquire the entire share capital of Ballestra Group, a global leader in the licensing, design and engineering of processing plants, as well as the supply of proprietary technologies and equipment for the chemical industry. Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Milan, Ballestra is the holding of a group of companies comprising BUSS ChemTech AG (Switzerland) and Ballestra Engineering and Projects Pvt. Ltd (India). It operates in over 120 countries with approximately 450 employees and offices in Europe and Asia. NextChem says that the acquisition will bring intellectual property, advanced proprietary technologies and distinctive engineering competences to its value proposition in specialty chemicals, including fluorine derivatives for lithium-ion batteries and for the metals and mining industries. This acquisition will also create cross-selling opportunities with Tecnimont, Maire Group’s integrated engineering and construction services business unit, in relation to energy transition and material transformation projects. The enterprise value is €108.3 million, resulting in a purchase price of approximately €126.5 million, subject to adjustments at closing, which is expected in the first half of 2026.
Maire Group has also announced the full transfer of ownership of a stake equal to 7.9% of the share capital of NextChem SpA MI to Azzurra Next One SpA. Azzurra Next One is a corporate vehicle established for the transaction controlled by Azzurra Capital and indirectly participated by Azimut Libera Impresa SGR.
