Profertil does not have staff on unsecured hours.
100% of our staff work full-time.

Staff by work category age group and gender

Under 30 %

Between 30 and 50 %

Over 50 %

Male %

Female %

Management staff

Chief staff

Supervisory staff

Coordination staff

Administration staff

Technical staff

Operational staff

Professional staff

^* The Professional category includes analysts, engineers and territory representatives.

• Leadership program: we created the Nutriendo las raíces del liderazgo (Nurturing Leadership Roots) Program, designed to strengthen and enhance leadership skills in a constantly changing business environment. This is an in-company version for those beginning their leadership The objectives are to: strengthen leadership skills to build, align, motivate, and foster a culture of agility and psychological safety in teams within a context of change; consolidate the necessary capabilities to form and develop agile and collaborative teams; incorporate knowledge to optimize engagement and team spirit and create a significant impact on the business through emerging and transformative leadership. The program consisted of:

• 3 in-person sessions, each lasting 8 hours
• 2 virtual sessions, each lasting 2 hours
• Use of a leadership simulator
• 360-degree feedback form personalized and effective development

• Hiking activity in Sierra de la ventana: we organized a well-being activity with families, which involved a nature trek in Sierra de la More than 120 employees and their families shared a different Sunday to strengthen their bonds.
• Children’s Day Gift Box: to celebrate this day, we gave each family a gift: “Decoding Constructions,” a pedagogical game that introduces children to science, mathematics, and engineering. This gift, in addition to being a fun form of entertainment, provides an opportunity to dive into the world of computational thinking. Additionally, it allows learning the art of algorithmic thinking, problem decomposition, and abstraction.
• Internal Management of Storm Impacts: the afternoon of Saturday, December 16, will remain in the memory of all Bahía Blanca residents, as they experienced one of the most violent storms to hit the city in The level of destruction to the city’s infrastructure was unprecedented. We quickly addressed the crisis, focusing resources on recovery efforts and providing extraordinary loans to employees who suffered significant damage to their homes.

The data was adjusted with respect to the hours reported in 2022.

MASS training includes: CPR and First Aid, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, effects of tobacco on health, drug abuse, emergency module, occupational health, industrial safety and healthy living, and cardiovascular prevention.

Our Compensation Policy is based on internal equity and external competitiveness; it aims to proactively promote the retention of our human resources based on performance criteria, job criticality, and the competencies of the individual occupying the position. With this definition in mind, both monetary and non-monetary recognitions are provided throughout the period.

We ensure gender equality in salaries through an objective and technical methodology. To do so, we utilize a job evaluation based on the HAY methodology, which determines the salary range for each position without gender distinction.

For employees under the collective agreement, we adhere to collective labor agreements that are updated through negotiations with union representatives throughout the year, ensuring equity. Thanks to these processes, we can guarantee that there are no gender differences in remuneration and remain competitive in the market without incurring any discrimination.

These IPER, prepared by the personnel performing the tasks and our Safety and Hygiene professionals, include all employees or contractors who may be in regular or occasional contact with hazardous inputs, raw materials, or products with physical, chemical, or combined risk characteristics. They allow us to identify and implement monitoring and prevention measures considering protection barriers (such as appropriate personal protective equipment for each case), task/exposure frequency and duration, number of people, their training, etc. Other situations of collaborators that could pose risks, such as addictions, social illnesses, pregnancy conditions, etc., are also analyzed.

In every project related to the adoption of new technologies, a HAZOP analysis is conducted. This structured and systematic risk analysis technique, carried out by a team of people with different specialties, allows for the identification of potential hazards to the health and safety of individuals, the environment, and operational issues in chemical processes. It involves identifying possible deviations from the design intent and examining their causes and consequences, which helps to identify and implement appropriate preventive measures.

We strive to achieve the commitment of all our staff; to this end, we hold formal meetings with representatives from safety and environmental departments, and the Union of Chemical, Petrochemical, and Related Industries (SPIQPyA). We maintain a Joint Committee with them to continuously improve the company’s working conditions and the health of our people.

Since 2019, we are certified as Preventive Labor Scope of Problematic Alcohol and Drug Consumption granted by the Secretariat of Integral Policies on Drugs of the Argentine Nation (SEDRONAR). Thus, we are the first company in Bahia Blanca and the second private company in the country to have this certification.

We continued with the Integrated Ergonomics Plan, which made it possible to include all levels and areas of the plant in these issues.

The result of our commitment is reflected in the low accident rates obtained, compared with other companies of the Petrochemical Pole of Bahía Blanca and the benchmarking with IFA. In 2023, a 23-day plant turnaround was carried out, involving the participation of over 500 additional workers, without any accidents. The objective was to implement infrastructure and equipment upgrades to ensure the safety and efficiency of the complex.

It includes Tier 1 incidents

Retail

 Wholesalers  %

Industrial %

 Abroad  %

Clients %

Sales by type of client

 Retailers  %

Whosalers%

 Industrial  %

Abroad %

Through various mechanisms, such as commercial agreements, extraordinary meetings, public information, and a complaints handling system, we strengthen our relationship with our clients while also identifying opportunities for improvement in our interactions with them.

To enhance our service, we train our staff in communication tools. We also use market research directed at agricultural producers and technical advisors to understand changes in our clients’ behavior and analyze market trends in which we operate.

In addition, we carry out an annual review of our performance, through satisfaction surveys. The results for 2023, in the retail segment, were:

We also have diverse channels to facilitate dialog and solve conflicts:

This person monitors the progress and involves each responsible party to address the issue through specific actions, setting the corresponding deadline for customer response. In this way, we ensure that complaints are resolved in a timely and comprehensive manner.

During 2023, there were 37 complaints, involving a total of 1,099 tons over a total of 1.4 million tons sold (including all products).

Logistics is a key aspect of the entire food production chain, which includes fertilizers. This industry is undergoing a digitalization process, allowing for much more efficient management of trucks and their loads at factories, plants, and ports across the country. At Profertil, we are at the forefront of this new paradigm through the fertilizer module of the Muvin application, which we developed together with the Bolsa de Comercio de Rosario (BCR).

In 2021, we started using the app to manage our logistics operations throughout the country During 2022, an update was launched, so that truck drivers can manage their arrival at the ports directly through the app on their mobile phones. During 2023, we continued to add users to the app, covering other sales segments, improving the efficiency of our operations, other companies, and the entire supply chain, minimizing the amount of information that needs to be entered and providing real-time information on the status of loads.

PRACTICES WITH DISTRIBUTORS AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS

In line with our commitment to Argentina’s agricultural sector and as part of the fertilizer industry, we have the responsibility to engage in issues that influence the entire lifecycle of our products and the value chain. Thus, we become leading references and influencers in this new society that demands constant change. The major challenge is to work collaboratively and coordinately to generate a triple impact.

To achieve this, we have developed various training sessions in both virtual and in-person formats. Through these sessions with specialists, we disseminate the Best Management Practices for crop nutrition (BMP), known as the 4Rs (right dose, source, form, and timing of application), where proper initial diagnosis, based on soil analysis, is fundamental for soil health care and sustainable agriculture. This approach must be comprehensive: sustainable, responsible, and friendly to the environment and society.

Through our Red de Ensayos, we evaluate new products and provide the necessary tools for proper soil management and health care. Likewise, over the years, we have developed different activities and programs aimed at transferring knowledge and strengthening our relationship with agronomy technical advisors and end customers (agricultural producers).

Additionally, we have begun to collaborate with CONICET project to better predict fertilizer demand in Argentina, focusing on geographical areas with similar agricultural production potential.

From the R&D department, we continue our work to generate local data for applying BMPs in crop nutrition, promoting sustainable agriculture.

We conducted two trials with distributors (in northern Córdoba and southeastern Santiago del Estero). Additionally, we began the fourth year of corn trials in Balcarce, where we evaluate and quantify in situ the greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide) and ammonia volatilization with different nitrogen fertilization treatments (doses, timings, and nitrogen sources). We also started the third year of trials in Oliveros (Santa Fe) and the first year of trials in Salta.

Thanks to these efforts, conducted by INTA specialists, we will have local data that will allow us to generate regional level 2 factors for greenhouse gas emissions from the use of Argentine urea and be more precise in reporting Argentina’s greenhouse gas emissions and evaluating stabilized sources as a mitigation tool.

Moreover, we completed the second part of the evaluation of nitrate leaching and ammonia volatilization from these sources in the laboratory, with specialists from INTA Balcarce. All these projects are part of research work, doctoral studies, and scientific publications.

This year, we presented a paper at the Fertilizar 2023 Symposium, titled “Nitrogen Management Strategies to Reduce Volatilization Losses in Maize Under Irrigation and Dry Conditions,” and a paper at the Latin American Soil Science Congress, titled “Do Nitrogen Source and Fractionation Affect Denitrification Losses in Maize?” We also published an article in the journal Ciencia del Suelo, No. 41, titled “Determining Factors of nitrogen losses by volatilization and their effect on maize yield.”

Finally, we collaborate with research institutions and producer associations to generate knowledge and transfer the best practices on sustainable crop nutrition strategies. Notably, we highlight our collaborative work with INTA, Fertilizar, CIAFA, AAPRESID, AACREA, the Buenos Aires Grain Exchange, AIANBA, Faculty of Agronomy, FAUBA (UBA), and the Argentine Association of Soil Sciences (AACS).

In 2023, we participated in various events, both our own and third party, in a virtual and in-person format. Among them, we can mention:

Building on our commitment to sustainable agriculture and recognizing the importance of starting to measure the carbon footprint of agricultural activities, and from there, initiating a mitigation program and improvements in production systems, in 2023 we signed a partnership agreement with the Asociación Argentina de Productores en Siembra Directa (AAPRESID) and the Plataforma Puma. This agreement will allow us to measure the baseline carbon footprint of 10,000 hectares of agricultural establishments as part of AAPRESID’s CHACRA Systems Carbon Network Project.

¹⁵ The Argentine Carbon Neutral Program (PACN) is a private voluntary participation program that promotes the establishment of a sustainable brand for Argentine export products in the food, beverage, and bioenergy sectors. This brand is achieved through joint sectoral work on quantification methodologies, measurement practices, improvement and neutrality of the carbon footprint, and capturing the economic value of the reductions achieved, beyond existing commitments.

It involves our Distribution Network, with the objective of training and encouraging technical advisors and producers to conduct proper sampling and promote the use of soil analysis as a diagnostic tool to determine the correct fertilizer dosage. In 2023, 2 Prosuelos on-site events were held in collaboration with different distributors, showing strong commitment to the sustainability of the agricultural system in the provinces of Buenos Aires and Santa Fe. The chosen topics were the correct application of fertilizers and proper nutrient management, and we were joined by specialists in agricultural mechanization: S. Tourn (INTA Balcarce) and in environment and nutrition: F. García and N. Reussi Calvo.

These activities involve training technicians from our distributors and/or their clients (agricultural producers) through talks, breakfasts, and distributor meetings. During this year, we conducted 14 training sessions with various distributors in Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Córdoba, and La Pampa.

These training sessions are conceptualized as a “new space for conversation,” aiming to reaffirm our connection with clients while considering and leading the constant changes demanded by today’s society.

In 2023, we organized three Profertil GO, where we train our clients and exchange knowledge to create synergies, addressing various issues that occupy and concern us, as the fertilizer industry is an essential part of the agro-industrial and agri-food value chain.

Profertil GO is an invitation to reflect on and address various topics and challenges currently facing the global fertilizer industry.

Food security, gender diversity in agriculture, product availability, and public communication are just some of the topics that will be discussed during the conference cycles.

Part of our responsibility is to disseminate and share knowledge and experience with our various audiences. Therefore, we prepare various articles for specialized magazines, interviews, and 4 technical bulletins:

Click Virtual Library.

SUPPLIERS

We prioritize hiring suppliers from Bahía Blanca or national ones over foreign ones, provided that quality and price conditions are favorable.

Suppliers by type 2023

The relative proportions of suppliers of inputs and services vary annually according to different types of circumstances: scheduled or unscheduled plant shutdowns (quantity and type of tasks to be executed during these), project execution (type and complexity of the projects), among other variables.

In 2023, two major purchase orders were placed, causing a difference in the percentages of purchases by location.

With respect to our contractors, there are safety and environmental requirements, which are set out in the contract bases, within the Normal Purchasing Management procedure. Additionally, together with the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (Facultad Regional Bahía Blanca), we developed a training system (for suppliers and contractors) on environmental issues. Through it, the university provides accreditation of the knowledge acquired, which is supported by the development of a consultation material prepared by our professionals.

As signatories of the United Nations Global Compact, we incorporate its principles into our contracting conditions to verify and promote that our suppliers are aligned with the protection of human rights, the eradication of child and forced labor, the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of freedom of association, as well as the protection of the environment and the prevention of corruption.

Also, we regularly evaluate and measure the business relationship with them through different mechanisms:

SUPPLIER SELECTION AND
DUE DILIGENCE

In the process of onboarding new suppliers, in 2023 we introduced compliance due diligence requirements, non-compliance with which could result in the rejection of the supplier registration or a decision from the Compliance area regarding the possibility of admission after a thorough analysis. Among these requirements, information is requested on potential criminal investigations, watch lists, and the existence (or lack thereof) of an integrity program by the applicant companies, prior to their inclusion in the supplier lists.

Furthermore, for active suppliers, documentation proving compliance with labor, social security, health, and safety obligations by contractors is required. All information requirements are managed through a platform specifically designed for this purpose, where suppliers must periodically submit documentation proving their compliance with each requirement.

All documentation uploaded for each contractor is analyzed by the Contracts Control area. In turn, the Compliance area conducts semiannual monitoring based on random samples, aimed at detecting the correct allocation of requirements according to legal standards, the integrity and legal validity of the submitted documentation, and any deviations or concerns related to regulatory changes.

EVALUATION OF SUPPLIERS

We have a procedure for assessing suppliers that may directly affect the quality of our products and services marketed. This is done at the time of incorporation of new suppliers, as well as in certain cases, according to the analysis of the level of criticality.

After a comprehensive evaluation of the supplier, all the multidisciplinary information is Operations and a ratio is calculated, which will determine whether the supplier is critical or non-critical, and the way in which it will be evaluated and its periodicity will depend on this.

In this assessment, several attributes are analyzed, which allow to score the service from the profiles of the requesting area, as well as from purchasing, quality, safety, environment and energy. Some of the attributes evaluated, according to the level of criticality, are the following:

Critical supplier performance evaluations begin in February and conclude at the end of May. The evaluation period corresponds to the service or material “past due” year.

* The evaluation identifies 3 items of significant importance: Compliance with the standard; Impact on the site, facility, or company image; Compliance with MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets).

**Situations in which performance evaluation does not apply: for critical suppliers on a biennial basis, by user decision, due to lack of service during the period, and for material suppliers (does not include environment).

4.3

OUR COMMUNITY

PROFERTIL AND YOU

We develop programs that allow us to approach our neighboring community and work together on sustainable actions that leave a lasting impact and create significant connections between Profertil, our neighbors, and all the relevant stakeholders in the community.

Our management model aims at stimulating the relationship between the Company and the various stakeholders (collaborators, customers, suppliers, community residents, agricultural sector, various NGOs, among others). To support this approach, we hold frequent meetings and dialogs through different channels, aiming to understand their needs and the initiatives they drive, to collaborate in building a better place for everyone.

*The decrease in the number of donations compared to 2021 is mainly due to a change in strategy, placing more emphasis on the projects that the institutions undertake rather than one-time donations. Nevertheless, 2021 was an atypical year due to the consequences of the pandemic, during which more requests for donations were received than in other years.

** It includes social investment in millions of pesos in sustainability programs and actions.

Type of donation

Services %

Materials %

The majority of initiatives carried out in 2023 were dedicated to providing materials to enhance the conditions of local NGOs and institutions neighboring the Plant, with a focus on improving quality of life and education.

This initiative not only strengthened our connection with the communities but also inspired a profound internal analysis, illuminated by the knowledge gained from our trainings and meetings. Our general meetings, enriched by this ongoing dialogue, spurred personalized learning spaces.

We offered a variety of thematic workshops, tailored to the specific needs of each group, allowing everyone to delve into the topics they are most enthusiastic about and need. We ventured into the realm of culture by forming the Culture Committee, where 15 representatives (from various organizations) came together to recognize and celebrate local identity. Together, we organized a vibrant kite flying event open to the entire community, which brought together over 60 families in a space of creativity and unity.

32 BENEFITED ORGANIZATIONS +200 PARTICIPANTS

VISITAS QUE SIEMBRAN

The primary purpose of this initiative is to introduce students to Profertil, its products, and their application, highlighting the importance of fertilizers in food production.. It aims to foster the idea that each individual can be a producer of their own food. In 2023, we began its implementation at Primary School No. 40 in the Saladero neighborhood of Ingeniero White, with 20 participants.

HUERTA EN TU PATIO

It is a comprehensive program that provides training, materials, and personalized advice to create home gardens. During the program, topics such as soil care, composting, seedling production, and crop associations and rotations in the garden are covered.

Based on the results of surveys conducted at the end of 2022, with the goal of connecting with residents who are not involved in local organizations, a training program was designed. This program consisted of four sessions over three months, aimed at providing the knowledge and materials needed to establish home gardens.

The initiative involved 67 residents from the Ingeniero White town and was supported by agronomists who provided personalized advice so that each resident could set up their garden according to the space conditions in their home.

CLUB DE HUERTAS

With the goal and commitment to promote continuous education, we inaugurated a permanent training space directed at teachers called Club de Huertas (Vegetable Garden Club).

Throughout the year, we started this space for training and collaboration with educators from various educational levels The program began with a masterclass on composting, and we had the privilege of hosting 66 teachers from early childhood, primary, secondary, and special education, from both the city and the surrounding area. Additionally, we established a communication channel through WhatsApp to maintain regular contact with the audience and send proposals periodically.

The primary purpose is to provide continuous support throughout the year, ensuring that the implementation of gardens in school environments becomes a reality. We fully trust in the transformative power of education and the multiplying commitment of each involved teacher.

HUERTA EN TU COMUNIDAD

To deepen our commitment to the social organizations that are part of the Terminales Norte communities, we began an institutional mapping in the towns of San Nicolás and Puerto General San Martín and started a process of relationship building and dissemination of programs directed at the community.

During 2022, we organized meetings in both locations. After identifying topics of interest through a needs assessment, we tailored a version of the Programa de Huertas (Vegetable Garden Program) to suit the characteristics of the target population. In this regard, the proposal was to conduct two virtual training sessions and one in-person session, during which a garden was installed as a practical activity in two organizations in each town. A total of 35 representatives from 27 institutions in San Nicolás and Puerto General San Martín participated.

In 2023, the second edition of the program was carried out, aiming to promote the establishment of gardens within organizations and encouraging collaboration among participants. The training sessions were conducted in a hybrid format, including two virtual meetings and one in-person session. As a result, a garden was established in both Puerto General San Martín and San Nicolás.

In the town of San Nicolás, we participated in an event organized by San Felipe Hospital called ‘Project: Feed Your World,’ which also included local schools. As sponsors of the program, we promoted the initiative ‘Vegetable Garden in Your Community,’ which helped attract the interest of new organizations interested in joining the program.

ASÍ SON LOS SUELOS DE MI PAÍS PROGRAM

We continue to support the development of the program ‘Así son los suelos de mi país (This is how the soils of my country are),’ an initiative by CREA. This program promotes awareness about sustainability and soil conservation as a critical natural resource for humanity, from an educational perspective. It involves schools from various communities, including those in Puerto General San Martín and San Nicolás, where we have logistical terminals. We participate in dissemination, appreciation, and evaluation stages of the projects developed by over 2,400 students from preschool, primary, and secondary levels, representing 111 schools across different provinces.

MORE SEEDS FOR EDUCATION

ASSOCIATED SDGs: 4 and 17

2022 NEWS: We continue with our commitment, undertaken in 2001, through the sponsorship of Primary School No. 13 in Ingeniero White. Additionally, we collaborated with 16 public and private educational institutions at the early childhood, primary, secondary, and university levels, to which we donated:

All of this was made possible thanks to the collaboration and commitment of the neighboring community of Inge- niero White, educational institutions, the Municipality of Bahía Blanca, suppliers, and the Profertil team, specially formed to lead and coordinate each step of this project, with the goal of getting the city back on its feet.

More information in this link.