TN & PLATEX, based in the El Pantanillo Industrial Park in San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, has expanded part of its operations into the production of polypropylene big bags for the mining industry.
By Panorama Minero
The plant began manufacturing these products in November 2022 and currently supplies operations linked to the lithium value chain, while also exporting part of its output to Brazil.
The company is part of the Karagozian family business group, which has longstanding ties to Catamarca's textile industry.
A Product Used by the Lithium Industry
Big bags are large-capacity flexible containers used for the storage and transportation of bulk materials.
In mining operations, they are commonly used to transport products and minerals throughout the logistics chain.
According to the company, the expansion of lithium-related activities has increased demand for this type of product in the province.
Local production allows part of that demand to be supplied from Catamarca while reducing dependence on imported products.
Production and Employment
The facility began operations with a workforce of 60 employees and currently employs 80 workers.
Recently, Catamarca's Minister of Productive Development, Luis Castro, visited the plant together with Industry Secretary Lourdes Sosa Cano and Director of Industrial Policy Pablo Varela.
During the visit, provincial authorities reviewed the facility's operations and production activities.
Castro highlighted the importance of sustaining industrial employment and referred to provincial support programs aimed at productive sectors.
Among them, he mentioned the Textile Emergency Program, which provides financial assistance based on the number of registered employees at participating companies.
From Textiles to the Mining Supply Chain
The production of big bags represents a diversification of the company's industrial activities, which have traditionally been linked to the textile sector.
According to the company, manufacturing these products enabled the incorporation of a new production line associated with the growth of mining activity in the region.
Part of the big bags manufactured in Catamarca are currently exported to Brazil, a market that has already received approximately 25,000 units, according to company figures.
