24/06/2026 03:32 - Economia
Governor Claudio Poggi toured the facilities of Ital Vinil this Tuesday, a company established in San Luis province since 1985 that produces high-density polyethylene pipes for water, gas, telecommunications, and petroleum derivatives. The firm, located in the Parque Industrial Sur (Southern Industrial Park), announced an investment of $6 billion Argentine pesos aimed at supplying Vaca Muerta, the largest unconventional oil and gas reservoir in Argentina and one of the most important in the world.
The project includes the installation of a new production line for three-layer polyethylene pipes, specifically designed for the oil and mining industries. This technology allows fluid transport with greater resistance and durability—a critical input for hydrocarbon extraction in demanding environments.
| Total Investment | $6 billion ARS |
| New Jobs | 24 positions |
| Current Employees | 60 (66% from San Luis) |
| Established | In San Luis since 1985 |
| Product | Three-layer polyethylene pipes |
Three-layer pipes are composite pipelines made of three plastic layers with different properties. The inner layer offers chemical resistance, the middle layer provides thermal insulation, and the outer layer protects against impact and abrasion. These are essential in the oil industry for transporting hydrocarbons at high pressure and temperature, making them ideal for the challenging conditions of shale extraction.
For international readers, Vaca Muerta (meaning "Dead Cow" in Spanish) is a massive shale oil and gas formation located in Neuquén province, in northern Patagonia. It's considered one of the largest unconventional reserves in the world, comparable to the Eagle Ford and Bakken formations in the United States. Ital Vinil's announcement comes amid explosive growth in this sector.
According to recent data, Neuquén increased its exports by 103.5% between January and May 2026, rising from USD 1.695 billion to USD 3.450 billion, with Vaca Muerta responsible for 98% of that growth. The projection for energy exports in 2026 reaches USD 11 billion.
Neuquén's share of national energy exports rose to 54.7%, consolidating the formation as a key piece for Argentina's economy. In this scenario, supplier companies like Ital Vinil play a strategic role in the sector's value chain.
"Growth in Vaca Muerta continues—it's Argentina's future. We're betting on San Luis province, with the energy of oil, gas, and all fluids."
In another display of San Luis's industrial dynamism, Governor Poggi also visited Carin Puntana, located in Juana Koslay, a city just outside the provincial capital. This company, founded in 1984 and established in the province since 2010, manufactures plastic products and currently exports to 16 countries, with projections to reach 64 countries between 2027 and 2028.
The company, with three production wings distributed across more than 5,000 square meters, has incorporated automated quality control technologies that consume 60% less energy, positioning itself as a benchmark in industrial sustainability.
In September, Carin Puntana will launch Odoroki (meaning "surprise" in Japanese), a candy brand that will include lollipops, gummies, and compressed powder tablets in two presentations: candy only, and candy with toys.
With this project, the company will transition from supplier to manufacturer, competing directly in the confectionery market—a bold diversification move that showcases Argentine industrial creativity.
During the visit, Poggi delivered to Carin Puntana's owners the decree of adherence to Law 501 for Investment Promotion, which establishes exemption from the Gross Income Tax derived from wholesale sales.
Valentino Golfetto, representing the third generation of the family business, highlighted the importance of public-private partnership: "This is what opens doors for us to work in both domestic and export markets."
The investments by Ital Vinil and Carin Puntana's expansion demonstrate the private sector's commitment to the province, supported by promotion policies like Law 501. With Vaca Muerta as the energy engine and San Luis companies integrating into the value chain, the region's economic outlook is remarkably promising. For international investors and observers, San Luis represents a compelling case of provincial development in Argentina's heartland.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
