Through fire and water – our path to the world’s best pipe systems

Most success stories are based on unique ideas, hard work and empowering setbacks. This is also the case with Hallingplast, whose story begins in Geilo in Norway in the mid-1960s.

As car mechanic Kåre Tragethon worked with his head under the hood and his hands among cylinders and pistons, ideas began to spark. Thoughts soon evolved into a vision for manufacturing plastic products, leading to the development and production of dolls, sledges, and 12-foot plastic boats. The business grew and together with plastics expert Tov Skarpås, Kåre established the company Hallingplast in 1969.

Fire and large PE pipes

At this time, Hallingplast manufactures polyethylene pipes for water pipelines but also uses fibreglass-reinforced plastic for the production of boats and agricultural silos. Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is highly flammable, and in February 1971 a tragic accident occurred. A fire broke out, causing the factory to burn down and delivering a temporary setback to the business.

Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, the company quickly recovers and builds a new, state-of-the-art facility. This modern hall, still in use today, marks the beginning of large PE pipe production. From then until 1979, both PE pipes and fiberglass-reinforced plastic products are produced concurrently. Afterward, the company shifts its focus exclusively to PE products.

Export and work in three shifts

Initially, all products are sold locally in Hallingdal, Norway. However, by the mid-1980s, the company begins expanding its reach, and in 1988 Hallingplast makes its first foray into exports, sending shipments to Sweden, soon followed by Denmark. Today, exports make up approximately 35% of our production, with deliveries to Sweden, Denmark, Finland, China, Chile, Angola, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Australia.

In 1988, Hallingplast signs a license agreement with REHAU Norway and Germany to produce production multipipes for use in fibre optic cables. Shortly before this, production in three shifts begins. The production of optical pipes for REHAU makes it easier to keep continuous production running.

The dimension of standard PE pipes gradually increases, first up to 400 mm and then up to 630 mm. Today, our largest pipe dimension is 1200 mm. Previously, our pipes had pressure classes up to 16 bar, while today we deliver systems with pressures up to 30 bar.