Bahía Blanca drives two‑thirds of Argentina’s petrochemical output and hosts $2.7 bn urea plant project

Bahía Blanca accounts for roughly 67% of Argentina’s petrochemical production and more than half of the country’s installed capacity. The complex supplies the majority of national ethylene (95.8%) and ammonia (89.8%), providing key feedstocks for plastics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automotive and fertilizer industries. In 2024 the hub generated about US$404 million in petrochemical exports, representing 43% of the sector’s total overseas sales.

Pampa Energía has submitted a request to join the large‑investment incentive regime for a US$2.7 billion urea‑granule plant in the city’s industrial pole. The project aims to reach an annual capacity of 2.1 million tonnes of urea by the end of 2029, targeting export markets such as Brazil. It will create more than 3,500 jobs during construction and around 300 permanent positions, prioritize local labour and suppliers, and include a desalination plant and new port infrastructure linked to Vaca Muerta gas pipelines.