Vortex Companies Announces Partnership with EBAA Iron

All-American Collaboration Advances Vortex Water Closer to a Turnkey, Watermain Renewal System

HOUSTON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vortex Companies, a global leader in trenchless infrastructure solutions, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with EBAA Iron a renowned American manufacturer of joint restraints for water and wastewater pipelines. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Vortex's ongoing mission to develop a comprehensive, turnkey watermain renewal system.

The announcement follows the successful launch of Vortex Water; the company's dedicated division focused on potable water solutions and the relaunch of UnitedBLUE™, the in-demand water CIPP liner solution. Together with EBAA Iron's Megalug joint restraints, the system now integrates a 100% American-made connection to support the rehabilitation and reconnection of aging watermains.

"This partnership represents a significant step up for water infrastructure rehabilitation," said Mike Vellano, CEO of Vortex Companies. "We're combining best-in-class trenchless technologies with proven American manufacturing to offer a solution that is not only effective and scalable but built entirely in the USA."

EBAA's Megalug joint restraints are engineered to restrain broad range of water and wastewater pipe, whether above or below ground, and are suitable for nearly any application including valves, hydrants, and pipelines. Their integration into Vortex Water Solution Systems including UnitedBLUE™, ensures rapid, secure reconnection of rehabilitated pipes.

Vortex Infrastructure Services Inc. (formerly Foraction) is solely focused on watermain rehabilitation and has installed over one million feet of UnitedBLUE. "Our goal has always been to simplify and standardize the watermain renewal process," said JP Bedard, the company's CEO. "By combining the strength of our UnitedBLUE CIPP liner with EBAA Iron's Megalug restraints, we're providing a repeatable and reliable solution that municipalities can depend on."

The system features the UnitedBLUE CIPP liner, an NSF and BNQ certified product with a third-party tested 100-year design life, now coupled with the Megalug joint restraint for a complete solution. Together, these technologies offer a proven, repeatable, and predictable installation process that can help municipalities combat the estimated six billion gallons of treated water lost daily due to failing watermains.

"We're excited to partner with Vortex Companies and contribute to such a critical solution," said Chris Keffer, Vice President, EBAA Iron Sales. "Our Megalug restraint systems are designed to ensure long-term reliability and easy installation in the field, perfectly complementing Vortex Water's innovative approach."

About Vortex Companies
Celebrating 10 years in the industry this year, Vortex Companies is a global leader in trenchless water and sewer infrastructure solutions, offering advanced technologies and turnkey services for municipal, industrial, and commercial systems. Operating across 27 locations worldwide, Vortex specializes in manhole and pipe rehabilitation, polymeric coatings, CIPP liners, sewer robotics, and high-speed drain cleaning tools. For more information, visit www.vortexcompanies.com.

About EBAA
EBAA Iron a renowned American manufacturer of joint restraints for water and wastewater pipelines is family owned and operated. EBAA manufactures and sells pipe restraints and flexible expansion joints for the water and wastewater pipeline industry. Since introducing its first patented product in 1968, EBAA has continued to manufacture American-made, innovative products for the water and wastewater industry that are engineered to save time and money.

SOURCE Vortex Companies