La Jornada: Fermachem starts its fertilizer plant project in Durango

Fermachem, an infrastructure and petrochemical megaproject in Mexico, kicked off the execution of its nitrogen fertilizer plant in Lerdo, Durango, a world-class industrial project aimed at strengthening the nation’s food sovereignty, reducing dependence on imported fertilizers and triggering economic and social development in the region.

This project represents an investment of more than 20 billion pesos, of national and foreign private capital. It is expected that during its execution phase it will generate approximately 3 thousand jobs and, once in operation, around 260 permanent jobs, giving priority to technical profiles and local specialists.

Ray Fletcher, CEO of Fermachem, said the plant will be one of the most modern and important on the continent. He pointed out that producing fertilizers in Mexico is critical to strengthening the country’s food sovereignty, supporting the Mexican countryside and reducing dependence on foreign countries.

Fernando Calvillo, co-president of Fermaca Dreams along with Manuel Calvillo, stated that Fermachem represents “a monumental step” in the history of Fermaca and for Mexico, as it is a project that seeks to put the industry at the service of the countryside and the families that depend on it.

The plant will have the capacity to produce high-quality fertilizers for agricultural use. The estimated figure is one million tons per year, equivalent to 2,860 tons per day, and it is expected to come into operation in 2029.

Esteban Villegas, governor of Durango, said at the event: “Today we are witnesses of something bigger than us: the strengthening of Mexico’s food sovereignty and the laying of Fermachem’s first stone in Lerdo. A historic investment that will mark a before and after for La Laguna and for the entire state.”

As part of its social vocation, Fermachem contemplates a contribution of more than 200 million pesos for Durango and the municipality of Lerdo, once the plant is completed.

The supply of natural gas for the project is secured through an agreement with Esentia Energy Systems. This energy infrastructure will make it possible to promote a large-scale industrial project for the benefit of the country.