Primus Line holds safety as its top priority approaching this year’s No-Dig Down Under.
German engineer Heiko Manzke has led Primus Line’s operations in Australia and New Zealand since 2019.
After years working at the company’s headquarters in Germany, he relocated to the east coast of Australia to support and grow the network built by his predecessor.
His role has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint in the region, bringing technical expertise to a wide range of projects.
Among the standout initiatives delivered under Manzke’s guidance are the rehabilitation of a vertical pipe, a series of wastewater pressure pipe renewals, and the first three-in-one project of its kind in Australia with Hunter Water.
Projects have also been completed in New Zealand and with major mining operator Rio Tinto. These efforts have helped solidify Primus Line’s reputation as a trusted and flexible trenchless solution for complex rehabilitation challenges.
A significant milestone came in 2020 when Primus Line entered a partnership with Interflow, one of Australia’s leading pipeline infrastructure contractors.
Interflow began stocking Primus Line products locally, ensuring faster delivery for urgent works.
While the exclusive agreement came to an end in mid-2024, the relationship continues, with Interflow remaining a key installation partner.
Primus Line will now also work with other regional specialists across the water sector to further expand its reach.
The company is also seeing early success with its overland piping system, a temporary, above-ground pipeline primarily aimed at mining applications. According to Manzke, the potential in the region is clear.
“Australia and New Zealand are extremely interesting markets for a pioneering product like ours,” he said. “The local network operators and engineering firms are highly qualified and therefore greatly appreciate a high-quality product made in Germany.”
He describes Primus Line as offering more than just a technical solution. “We provide a carefree all-in-one package – a first-class product with excellent customer support, combined with unrivalled expertise in the field of flexible piping,” he said. “Nobody in the world can hold a candle to us in this area, and our customers in Australia and New Zealand recognise and appreciate that.”
Primus Line has had a long-standing presence at No-Dig Down Under and will once again return for this year’s event in Melbourne.
“We’ve been exhibiting at this show for probably 10 years or more,” Manzke said. “We return because NDDU is the prime event for trenchless technologies in Australia and New Zealand.”
This year, Manzke will present a technical paper on a topic of growing relevance: the relining of asbestos cement (AC) pressure pipelines.
“In my paper, I am presenting on the advantages of relining asbestos cement pressure pipelines using the Primus Line system,” he said. “I will demonstrate how this approach eliminates the need for pipe removal, minimises hazardous fibre release, and complies with stringent occupational safety regulations, particularly those defined in TRGS 519.”
Recognised by Germany’s DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance) as a low-emission procedure, the Primus Line method provides a legal and low-risk pathway for AC pipeline rehabilitation.
“Through realised projects, I’ll highlight the benefits and practical advantages for operators,” Manzke said. “This trenchless solution offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional methods and represents a significant advancement in asbestos pipeline rehabilitation.”
Safety, transparency and regulatory leadership are core to Primus Line’s identity, particularly in areas such as asbestos and PFAS.
“At Primus Line, we stand for transparency and innovation, always striving to lead in regulatory compliance,” he said. “We don’t just talk; we act. Every claim we make and every product we market is backed by independent testing.
“The safety, health and wellbeing of everyone involved in a Primus Line installation are of utmost importance to us. That’s why we continuously test our products – to guarantee this level of safety and quality.”
With a growing portfolio across Australia and New Zealand, ongoing innovations in trenchless rehabilitation, and a strong presence at industry events like No-Dig Down Under, Primus Line continues to build momentum as a leader in trenchless technology across the region.
For more information, visit primusline.com
This article was featured in the August edition of Trenchless Australasia.
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