NextChem completes Ballestra acquisition

MaireGroup says that its NextChem subsidiary has completed the acquisition of the Ballestra group, a leading player in the licensing, design and engineering of processing plants, as well as in the supply of proprietary technologies and equipment for the chemical industry. NextChem says that the integration of Ballestra significantly strengthens its technology portfolio in phosphate and potassium fertilizers and completes its coverage of the full NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) spectrum. At the same time, it provides access to new segments with high growth potential, particularly in chemistry for the production and circularity of strategic materials needed to develop and expand electrification, where Nextchem is already present with metals recovery technologies following the recent acquisition of ETEK.

NextChem also says that Ballestra’s proprietary laboratories and industrial demonstration plants in Italy (Busto Arsizio and Milan) and Switzerland (Basel), dedicated to the development, validation and scale-up of new technological solutions, will enable the expansion of Nextchem’s European innovation platform, strengthening its ability to transform chemical and engineering expertise into scalable industrial solutions, supporting its growth trajectory.

The purchase price is €148.2 million, based on an enterprise value of €108.2 million and net cash – adjusted according to the criteria agreed in the contract – of €40.0 million.