en.Wedoany.com Reported - Engeman's Operations Director, Jobe Medeiros, stated that after completing the initial phase of restarting operations at the nitrogen fertilizer plants in Sergipe and Bahia, the company is now focused on maintaining operational stability and preparing for the first major overhaul. Engeman won the five-year FAFEN operation and maintenance tender from Petrobras last year. The initial months of work focused on team mobilization, professional training, and process consolidation, enabling the plants to begin operations with a focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency. Medeiros also noted that regardless of whether new investments are formally confirmed, Engeman has already begun strategic work to prepare for the future expansion cycle, including strengthening its talent pool, expanding mobilization capacity, and continuously investing in technology and professional qualifications.
Reflecting on the initial operational phase, the startup of FAFEN was characterized by intensive mobilization, integration, and process consolidation, always placing safety, reliability, and operational excellence at the core. Investment in team training was a key success factor. Engeman developed a structured training program, extensively using operational simulators and hands-on learning methods to prepare for various operational scenarios. Having experienced leaders accelerated knowledge transfer and strengthened the plant's operational culture. Engeman not only brought the plants into operation but also demonstrated its capability in managing highly complex industrial assets.
The operational environment at FAFEN is highly complex, presenting challenges in critical asset management, operational reliability, and the development of a specialized workforce. A prominent issue was the lack of professionals with specific experience in nitrogen fertilizer plant operations—knowledge accumulated over many years that has become scarcer following the prolonged interruption of these operations in Brazil. Preparing equipment for startup was also a challenge, as many assets had been idle for years, requiring maintenance teams to perform restoration, inspection, adjustment, and re-establishment of operating conditions. To address this, Engeman invested heavily in training, using operational simulators, hands-on training, and structured knowledge transfer processes, while selecting leadership with solid technical experience to accelerate the learning curve. The integration between operations, maintenance, and management played a crucial role in ensuring plant stability and continuous improvement in results.
Engeman expressed enthusiasm regarding Petrobras' plans to expand FAFEN's fertilizer production capacity. Regardless of whether new investments are formally confirmed, the company has already begun strategic work to strengthen its talent pool, expand mobilization capacity, and continuously invest in technology and professional qualifications, ensuring it can meet future demands with the same excellence, safety, and efficiency.
Looking ahead, the next milestones for FAFEN operations will focus on two main objectives: maintaining the operational stability and production levels achieved since early 2026, and executing an excellent preparation for the plant's first major overhaul. Engeman is already advancing detailed planning for the first major overhaul, covering areas such as operations, maintenance, engineering, and supply, to ensure safety, quality, schedule adherence, and maximum efficiency.
Expanding domestic fertilizer production is of strategic importance to Brazil. Although Brazil is an agricultural powerhouse, it remains heavily dependent on fertilizer imports. Strengthening domestic production can enhance supply security, reduce exposure to international market volatility, and increase the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness. This initiative will also drive the creation of high-skilled jobs, strengthen national industry, and contribute to the country's sovereignty in a key sector of the national economy.
The operation of FAFEN is a significant step in Engeman's growth trajectory, enhancing the company's capabilities in highly complex industrial operations. Engeman's vision is to consolidate its position as one of the main benchmarks for the operation and maintenance of large-scale industrial plants in Brazil, combining technical excellence, safety, innovation, and human development. To support growth, the company continuously invests in technology, digitalization, professional qualifications, and leadership development, recently establishing a strategic partnership with the Dom Cabral Foundation to strengthen and improve leadership.
