In a deal set to close before the end of the first quarter of 1999, plastic pipe systems producer Pipelife International (PO Box 54, A-2355 Vienna), plans to acquire 100% of the Norwegian Mabo group from Norsk Hydro. With the acquisition, Pipelife, a 50:50 joint venture of Solvay and Wienerberger, will strengthen its position as one of Europe´s three largest manufacturers of plastic pipes and fittings and gain additional mass in Scandinavia, where it took over Sweden´s Davinyl in 1997. Mabo also has a high profile in the Baltic states and Poland. Its product range will largely complement that of the Austrian group and build on its position in PP and PE pipes.

With sales of NOK 800m (1997), Mabo employs 652 people in 10 plants in five countries. Pipelife, which employs 1,900, had 1997 sales of ATS 5.6 bn. Present in 17 countries, it produces at 22 locations.