Grabbing a face mask when you leave home is as important as remembering your keys and wallet, so a temporary mask manufacturer now plans to continue making them after the pandemic has run its course.

Analytical Laboratories and Technical Services Australia (ALTSA) in Victoria's north-west was established a few years ago to provide testing services for the agriculture and environmental sectors.

ALTSA general manager Ray Harris said the company repurposed a former CSIRO facility at Merbein South, near Mildura, to make face masks earlier this year.

"Even before COVID hit we were looking at masks," he said.

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