Munich-based CNT Bau, a subsidiary of Portugal's Casais Group has signed a partnership deal with two German steel giants Salzgitter Mannesmann International GmbH (SMID) and Mannesmann Grossrohr GmbH (MGR) to deliver pipes for a major water pipeline project in Angola. 

The deal aims to secure the delivery of essential spiral-welded large-diameter pipes and fittings for Angola's ambitious Quilonga Grande water supply system.

The project is set to revolutionize drinking water access for 10 million people living in Angola’s capital city, Luanda, which currently grapples with a daily water deficit of about 1.2 million cubic meters due to three outdated supply systems. 

The Quilonga Grande project aims to establish a sustainable and forward-looking water supply, crucial for the growing metropolis, as many residents currently rely on tank trucks for their drinking water. 

Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, emphasized the project's significance, describing it as “groundbreaking.” He said the project would be handled jointly by member companies of the Salzgitter Group. 

"It marks a milestone in terms of the infrastructure and quality of life for people in Angola. Steel pipes, therefore, play a major role in supplying people with the precious commodity that is water," Groebler said. 

The agreement ensures capacity utilization for Mannesmann Grossrohr through mid-2026 and is expected to create new jobs in Angola. Pipes, ranging from 508 mm to 1,626 mm in diameter for the 105 km system, will be manufactured in Salzgitter and Hamm, Germany. 

The pipes will feature a specialized thick-layer epoxy coating on the inside and a three-layer polyethylene coating on the exterior to ensure the safety of the drinking water supply. SMID will manage financing, coordination, and logistics, including delivery to Luanda's harbor, and will procure necessary pipe bends and accessories.