Trelleborg purchasing pipe repair business in Germany

Trelleborg, Sweden – Trelleborg Industrial Solutions (TIS) has signed an agreement to acquire a sewer and drainage pipe rehabilitation business which specialises in the manufacture of machinery, robotics and liners for trenchless pipe repairs.

The operation is part of the German-based privately owned company Innovative Sewer Technologies, said Trelleborg in an 11 Oct statement.

The unit, it said, complements Trelleborg’s existing trenchless pipe repair offerings with new technology and materials.

The to-be-acquired operation has its head office and manufacturing in Bochum, Germany, with sales offices in Europe and North America.

The unit reported sales of SEK200 million (€18 million) in 2021.

“The market for trenchless pipe rehabilitation performed with glass fiber and ultraviolet (UV) light curing technology is growing by a double-digit amount each year,” said Jean-Paul Mindermann, TIS president.

The technology, he said, is established in Europe and on the rise in North America.

“[This is a] strategic addition that strengthens Trelleborg's position in the pipe repair market,” he added.

According to Trelleborg, aging pipe infrastructures are leading to undesirable leakage and infiltration in large parts of the world, causing unnecessary costs and environmental damage.

“Trenchless pipe rehabilitation is an alternative to the traditional ‘open, cut and replace’ method, with additional economic and environmental benefits,” Trelleborg said.

The transaction is expected to be finalised before the end of the year.