MAIRE, also acting on behalf of Maire Investments (MI), and Azzurra Capital Management (Azzurra Capital), announces the signing of an agreement with Azzurra Capital for the acquisition of a strategic stake of approximately 8% in the share capital of NEXTCHEM (NEXTCHEM) from MI. 

NEXTCHEM is MAIRE’s subsidiary heading the Sustainable Technology Solutions business unit. The total consideration for the stake is approximately €110 million, corresponding to an equity value of NEXTCHEM of €1.4 billion.

Azzurra Capital is an international private equity investment group focused on companies that are leaders in their business and capable of delivering sustainable growth and superior value. Its expertise as a successful long-term investor will further contribute to NEXTCHEM’s valorization path.

As a result of the above investment, MAIRE will hold approximately 82% of NEXTCHEM’s share capital (unchanged, following MAIRE Board of Directors’ resolution to waive the pre-emption right, having received a favorable non-binding opinion of the Related Party Committee), Azzurra Capital approximately 8%, Yousef Al Nowais 5% and MI approximately 5%. The agreed terms of the transaction, whose closing is expected to take place within May 2025, are substantially in line with those of the Al Nowais.

Alessandro Bernini, CEO, MAIRE said, “This agreement is another important step in NEXTCHEM’s value enhancement journey. The company has drawn significant interest from leading international partners and achieved high market valuations. The investment of a partner with a strong track record such as Azzurra Capital is a further confirmation of the effectiveness of NEXTCHEM’S strategy and positioning as a major technology player in the energy transition.”

Stefano Marsaglia, Founder and CEO, Azzurra Capital said," We are very pleased to have become a strategic investor in NEXTCHEM which fits perfectly with our strategy of investing in entrepreneurial companies who are leaders in their sector of activity, have been successful for many years and have real potential for further growth. Also, we have a long-standing relationship with Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman of Maire and a highly successful entrepreneur with whom we are perfectly aligned in terms of objectives, strategy and values. We are convinced that Azzurra Capital can make a significant contribution to further boost value creation for all NEXTCHEM’s shareholders, and we will be fully engaged to do so.”