Zwolle, Netherlands-based Wavin has reached a preliminary regional agreement with Kampala, Uganda-based Multiple Industries, a maker of plastic products such as pipe, packaging and profiles. Under the deal, Multiple will market Wavin’s plastic Tegra manhole and inspection chamber units regionally.

Initially, the Tegra chambers will be imported from Europe, but later, Multiple will mould shaft sections for the product in Uganda under license, a Wavin spokesman said.

Wavin’s African partner plans to establish a network of distribution agents across East Africa in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and southern Sudan.

The region offers huge potential for the substitution of concrete manholes and chambers with plastic ones, the firms said. In addition, there will be demand for plastic units in new developments.

Multiple said traditional concrete manholes and chambers have an average life of five years.

Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment has voiced its support for wider use of plastic manholes and inspection chambers to minimise sewage spills and to cut down on the risk of communicable diseases like cholera.

“Multiple already manufactures complementary products for local sewer requirements,” the spokesman said.

Local production of the inspection chamber bases is not covered under the deal, he said.

Wavin sees Africa as an important market. “This is not their first deal in Africa,” he said.

The firm already has similar licensees and distributors around the world.