Profertil
Profertil is Argentina's largest fertilizer producer and South America's largest granular urea manufacturer, producing nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate products, the PROTERRA specialty line, and Arnox 32 automotive urea from its Bahía Blanca plant for Argentine agricultural producers and heavy-duty diesel fleet operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersBuenos Aires, Argentina
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Profertil does
Profertil is Argentina's largest fertilizer producer and South America's largest granular urea manufacturer, operating a single industrial-scale nitrogen complex in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires province. The plant converts natural gas feedstock sourced from the Vaca Muerta shale formation into ammonia, urea, and downstream nitrogen products, with a portfolio spanning commodity fertilizers (urea, UAN, ammonium sulfate, DAP, MAP, potassium chloride, calcium sulfate, single superphosphate, UAN, micronutrients including zinc products) and the differentiated PROTERRA specialty line (7-40, DS, NS 42-4, PS-2, S-3, TRIPLE 15). The company also produces Arnox 32, an ISO 22241-compliant automotive grade urea solution for diesel emissions reduction that has been mandatory for Argentine heavy-duty vehicles since January 2016 under EURO 5 standards.
The business operates as a B2B industrial chemicals and agricultural inputs producer. Fertilizer sales flow through three company-operated logistics terminals in Puerto General San Martín, San Nicolás, and Necochea, combined with a nationwide network of agronomic stores and technical advisors who promote Best Management Practices alongside product sales; Arnox 32 is distributed via refueling stations and diesel service providers for transportation-sector compliance. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated directly with agricultural producers, cooperatives, distributors, and fuel-service operators rather than publicly disclosed. The company employs between 251 and 500 people, is led by CEO and General Manager Marcos Sabelli, and operates a corporate office in Martínez, Buenos Aires province.
Following Adecoagro S.A.'s December 2025 acquisition of a controlling 90% stake from YPF and Nutrien for approximately US$1.1 billion (with Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas retaining 10%), Profertil functions as a subsidiary within Adecoagro's agro-industrial platform while retaining its standalone brand, management, and Bahía Blanca production base. Reported Q1 2026 pro forma Fertilizers segment Adjusted EBITDA of $52.5 million represented a 4.3x year-over-year increase, driven by urea prices up approximately 55% since late February 2026 and higher production volumes. Sixty percent of the Bahía Blanca plant's energy consumption is already renewable, with a partnership in place for 100% renewable electrical supply from YPF.
Profertil firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Profertil
- Legal name
- PROFERTIL S.A.
- Website
- https://profertil.com.ar
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Profertil is Argentina's largest fertilizer producer and South America's largest granular urea manufacturer, producing nitrogen fertilizers, phosphate products, the PROTERRA specialty line, and Arnox 32 automotive urea from its Bahía Blanca plant for Argentine agricultural producers and heavy-duty diesel fleet operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Profertil industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Fertilizers
- NAICS
- Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (325311), Fertilizer and Compost Manufacturing (32531), Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing (325312)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia/Urea/UAN) (IMAEAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, UAN, Ammonium Nitrate/Sulfate) (AFABABAA), Liquid Specialty Fertilizers (Suspensions, Solutions, UAN Blends) (AFABACAF), Specialty Nitrogen Products (Urease/Nitrification Inhibitors, Enhanced-Efficiency N) (AFABACAG)
Keywords
Where Profertil is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Buenos Aires
- HQ country
- Argentina
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Profertil business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fertilizer sales: Production and commercialization of nitrogen-based fertilizers including urea, ammonium nitrate, and specialty fertilizer blends for agricultural use in Argentina and export markets.
- Automotive Grade Urea Solution (Arnox 32): Production and sale of automotive urea solution (DEF/AUS32) for diesel emissions compliance with EURO 5 standards, mandatory for heavy-duty vehicles in Argentina since January 2016.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Profertil product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Profertil produces and commercializes nitrogen-based fertilizers including urea (the largest granular urea producer in South America), ammonia, ammonium sulfate, phosphate fertilizers (DAP, MAP), and specialty blends under the PROTERRA brand for crop nutrition in Argentina. The company also manufactures Arnox 32, an automotive grade urea solution used by heavy-duty diesel vehicles to reduce NOx emissions, compliant with ISO 22241 and EURO 5 standards. Operations are centered on a major industrial complex in Bahía Blanca, with distribution through agronomic stores and company-operated logistics terminals.
Product overview
Profertil is a leading Argentine fertilizer and industrial chemicals producer operating a major plant in Bahía Blanca. The company produces and commercializes nitrogen-based fertilizers (primarily urea, the largest granular urea producer in South America), phosphate fertilizers, specialty fertilizers under the PROTERRA brand (including NPK blends, sulfur products, and micronutrients), and industrial products including ammonia and automotive grade urea solution (ARNOX 32). The product portfolio includes core nitrogen fertilizers (UREA, UAN, Ammonium Sulfate), phosphate products (DAP, MAP, Calcium Phosphate Monobasic, Superphosphate Single), potassium products (Potassium Chloride CIK, K MAG PREMIUM), specialty branded products (PROTERRA line: 7-40, DS, NS 42-4, PS-2, S-3, TRIPLE 15), micronutrients (ZINC DDP, ZINCODUR), industrial ammonia, and environmental products (ARNOX 32 for diesel emissions reduction). The company operates logistics terminals in Puerto General San Martín and San Nicolás, distributing through an extensive distribution network across Argentina.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Arnox 32: Automotive Grade Urea Solution - a urea-based product that reduces harmful emissions from diesel combustion engines. Mandatory in Argentina for heavy duty diesel vehicles since January 2016.
Products and services
- UREA
Quantifiable outcome
- South America's largest granular urea producer with leading market position in Argentina
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Profertil
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Profertil technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Profertil partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- YPF (Energy Supply)coreProfertil announced it will supply its production with 100% renewable electrical energy from YPF, demonstrating commitment to sustainable operations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Profertil competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Nutrien Ltd. World's largest crop input provider and a major global nitrogen, phosphate and potash producer. Directly comparable as the former 50% co-owner of Profertil and as a global nitrogen competitor serving similar agricultural customers.
- The Mosaic Company: One of the world's largest producers of phosphate and potash crop nutrients, with growing nitrogen presence via the Mosiac Fertilizantes Brazil business. Comparable as a global crop nutrient major with overlapping N+P product portfolio and South American footprint.
- OCI Global: Global nitrogen, methanol and clean ammonia producer with significant low-cost capacity in the Middle East and the Americas. Comparable as a large-scale nitrogen fertilizer producer with cross-border ammonia and urea distribution.
- Yara International ASA: Global nitrogen fertilizer leader and producer of ammonia, urea, UAN and AdBlue/DEF automotive urea solution. Directly comparable product overlap including industrial chemicals and automotive urea solution (Arnox 32's analog in Europe).
- CF Industries Holdings: Largest North American producer of nitrogen fertilizers (ammonia, urea, UAN) and a leading global nitrogen exporter. Closely comparable as a natural-gas-based nitrogen producer with similar cost-curve dynamics.
Broad incumbents
- ICL Group Ltd. Global specialty fertilizers and specialty chemicals producer serving agriculture, food and industrial markets. Comparable as a broader fertilizer incumbent with specialty product overlap and global distribution.
- Adecoagro S.A. NYSE-listed South American agro-industrial company that acquired 90% of Profertil in December 2025. Comparable as a vertically integrated agribusiness operating across Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, and as Profertil's controlling shareholder.
- Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (Koch Fertilizer): Privately held North American producer and global trader of nitrogen fertilizers, with significant ammonia, urea and UAN capacity. Comparable as a major nitrogen incumbent with similar feedstock-driven cost dynamics.
Others
- Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA): Major Argentine agricultural cooperative and 10% shareholder in Profertil. Comparable as a distribution partner and minor shareholder connecting Profertil's output to Argentine farmer-members.
- YPF S.A. Argentina's largest integrated energy company and former 50% owner of Profertil. Comparable as a former shareholder, current natural gas and renewable electricity supplier, and adjacent player in Argentina's industrial/energy ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Profertil social profiles
Digital presenceProfertil financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Profertil leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Profertil funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Profertil M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Profertil
What does Profertil do?
Profertil produces and commercializes nitrogen-based fertilizers including urea (the largest granular urea producer in South America), ammonia, ammonium sulfate, phosphate fertilizers (DAP, MAP), and specialty blends under the PROTERRA brand for crop nutrition in Argentina. The company also manufactures Arnox 32, an automotive grade urea solution used by heavy-duty diesel vehicles to reduce NOx emissions, compliant with ISO 22241 and EURO 5 standards. Operations are centered on a major industrial complex in Bahía Blanca, with distribution through agronomic stores and company-operated logistics terminals.
Is Profertil a public or private company?
Profertil is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Profertil founded?
Profertil was founded in 2001. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Profertil based?
Profertil is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the Latin America region.
How does Profertil make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fertilizer sales are the primary driver. The others are automotive Grade Urea Solution (Arnox 32).
Who are Profertil's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Nutrien Ltd., The Mosaic Company, OCI Global, Yara International ASA and CF Industries Holdings. Broad incumbents are ICL Group Ltd., Adecoagro S.A. and Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (Koch Fertilizer). Others are Asociación de Cooperativas Argentinas (ACA) and YPF S.A..
Does Profertil have an API?
No public API is recorded for Profertil.
What industry is Profertil in?
Profertil's product category is Agricultural Fertilizers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAEAA, Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia/Urea/UAN), with a secondary code of AFABABAA, Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia, Urea, UAN, Ammonium Nitrate/Sulfate). Its NAICS code is 325311 and its SIC code is 2860.