Alkalis from Patagonia (Alpat)the only producer of sodium carbonate of South America, made official his entry as a partner to the Argentine Chamber of Mining Entrepreneurs (CAEM).
In recent weeks the CAEM added nine new associates, including exploration, chemical manufacturing, logistics and consulting companies, among others.
In this framework, representatives of Alpat They met with the Chamber’s directors to talk about the company’s projects and share their vision of the local mining panorama.
They participated in the meeting Ignacio VivasVice President of Strategic Planning of Indalo Group and Julian LeundaVice President of Institutional Relations, representing Alpat. While for CAEM were their new president, Roberto Cacciolaand the Executive Director, Alejandra Cardona.
At the meeting, Indalo directors commented on the investment and growth plans of Alpatlocated in Black river, with a view to increasing its production, to cover not only the local market, but also increase exports.
Early 2023 Alpat announced a investment plan of US$250 million for expand to reach five countries in the region with sodium carbonate. This strategic input, which is used in different industrial branches, registers an exponential growth in its demand because it is required in the lithium production chain.
It is a raw material which is used in the glass industrywhich requires dense sodium carbonate, while in the chemical industry it is required in its light version for the production of soaps and detergents. It is also in demand for the paper, oil and gas, metallurgy, and chemical industries. and currently there is a special interest in the lithium market.
The plant, located in San Antonio Westa town with 48,000 inhabitants, currently produces about 170,000 tons per year of sodium carbonate, also called soda ash or sovay soda. Alpat aspires to reach 210,000 annually in the short term. However, 350,000 tons are consumed annually in Argentina alone, so the rest is imported from China and the United States.
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FACTORY. The Alpat plant in San Antonio Oeste, Río Negro.
This without considering the lithium industry, where sodium carbonate is a necessary input, since it is required for the first stages of production. In northern Argentina, where the lithium triangle is located, Alpat is already registering increasing levels of demand.
Source: Ambito
