Salzgitter Mannesmann to Deliver Critical Pipes for Angola’s Luanda Water Supply Project

Salzgitter Mannesmann to Deliver Critical Pipes for Angola’s Luanda Water Supply Project

(IN BRIEF) Salzgitter Mannesmann International GmbH and CNT Bau have signed an agreement to supply large-diameter pipes for Angola’s Quilonga Grande water supply system, a critical project to address severe drinking water shortages in Luanda. With Luanda facing a 1.2 million cbm daily water deficit, the new 105 km pipeline will significantly improve the city’s infrastructure. Mannesmann Grossrohr and Line Pipe will produce the coated pipes at facilities in Salzgitter and Hamm, while SMID will manage logistics and procurement. The project not only secures production through mid-2026 but also contributes to job creation in Angola.

(PRESS RELEASE) SALZGITTER, 17-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Drinking water access in Angola’s capital, Luanda, is set for a significant boost thanks to a major infrastructure contract secured by Munich-based CNT Bau, part of the Portuguese Casais Group, in partnership with Salzgitter Mannesmann International GmbH (SMID) and Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH (MGR). The project, known as Quilonga Grande, will see the delivery of spiral-welded large-diameter pipes and fittings crucial for the construction of a new water supply system in the capital city.

With a population of nearly 10 million and three aging water systems, Luanda faces a daily water shortage of approximately 1.2 million cubic meters. In many parts of the city, potable water is still delivered by tanker trucks. The Quilonga Grande project is expected to transform this situation by ensuring a sustainable and reliable water supply for the growing metropolis.

The agreement covers approximately 105 kilometers of pipeline infrastructure, including pipe diameters ranging from 508 mm to 1,626 mm. The pipes will be manufactured at Mannesmann facilities in Salzgitter and Hamm, with Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH and Mannesmann Line Pipe GmbH responsible for production. To meet the strict requirements for drinking water, the pipes will feature a thick internal epoxy coating and an external three-layer polyethylene coating for durability and protection.

Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, highlighted the importance of the project: “This is a landmark effort for both our Group and the people of Angola. The ability of steel to deliver safe and efficient water transport underscores its crucial role in infrastructure development and quality of life.”

Salzgitter Mannesmann International GmbH will oversee all logistics and project coordination, including shipping to the port of Luanda and sourcing additional components such as pipe bends and fittings. The project ensures high production capacity at Mannesmann Grossrohr through mid-2026 and will also generate new employment opportunities locally in Angola.