Four outstanding projects and technologies honored at the ISTT Awards and Gala Dinner, held during International No-Dig Auckland 2026
November 2026
The International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) announced the winners of the No-Dig Award 2026 on 29 October at the ISTT Awards and Gala Dinner, held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland and proudly sponsored by Pipe Core. The evening was part of International No-Dig Auckland 2026, in the year of ISTT’s 40th Anniversary.
This year, for the first time, ISTT announced its finalists ahead of the ceremony, reflecting the exceptional quality of entries, and all four winners were among those finalists. The full list of finalists, with a description of each entry, can be found on the ISTT website.
The full papers for the winning entries are published on the ISTT website and will also be available in the digital magazine Trenchless Works.
ISTT congratulates all the winners, and thanks every organization that entered and the Affiliated Societies that supported them.
New Technology
Relining with Fossil-Free PVC
Swietelsky-Faber GmbH and A-Plast | GATT (Germany) | Germany
BIO-Liner is a close-fit lining system made from bio-based PVC derived from forest residue: styrene-free, PFAS-free and fully recyclable, with a substantially lower carbon footprint. The City of Bochum used it in one of Germany’s first municipal projects of its kind in 2026.
Award received by Jörg Brunecker on behalf of Swietelsky-Faber GmbH and A-Plast.
BIO-Liner relining with bio-based PVC. Images: Swietelsky-Faber GmbH and A-Plast
Trenchless Project: New Installation
INELFE Biscay Bay – HVDC Interconnection between France and Spain
BESSAC & HDI | FSTT (France) | France
Cable landfalls for a strategic France–Spain electricity interconnection, crossing protected habitats and major tourist areas. The combined microtunneling and HDD strategy included three microtunnel drives in France of 1,203 m, 1,294 m and 1,355 m, and four HDDs in Spain.
Award received by Yann Rouillard on behalf of BESSAC & HDI.
Trenchless works for the Bay of Biscay HVDC interconnection. Images: BESSAC
Trenchless Project: Rehabilitation
Ōrākei Main Sewer Response and Recovery
WSP | ASTT (Australasia) | New Zealand
After Auckland’s 114-year-old Ōrākei Main Sewer collapsed in 2023, the team built a 600 L/s bypass within 20 days, then renewed the 2.3 m egg-shaped sewer by GRP segmental sliplining, giving it a 100-year design life without open-cut replacement.
Award received by Philip McFarlane on behalf of WSP.
Response and recovery of the Ōrākei Main Sewer, Auckland. Images: WSP
Trenchless Project: Underground Detection / Site Survey
The Pant Sinkhole
Glanville Environmental | UKSTT (United Kingdom) | United Kingdom
When the Pant sinkhole crisis struck, Glanville Environmental’s Geospatial Division used remote inspection, location and detection techniques to support the emergency response, minimizing risk, disruption and environmental impact for the local community.
Award received by Iain Naismith of UKSTT on behalf of Glanville Environmental.
Survey work at the Pant sinkhole. Images: Glanville Environmental
A Night to Remember
The awards were the highlight of an evening that brought the global trenchless community together in Auckland. Guests enjoyed a Māori cultural performance, a warm welcome from the host country, and the chance to celebrate with colleagues from around the world in ISTT’s 40th Anniversary year. ISTT thanks Pipe Core for its generous sponsorship of the Awards and Gala Dinner.
Recognizing the Finalists
ISTT also congratulates the other finalists in this year’s shortlisted categories: OptionX Group and Herrenknecht AG (New Technology); HDI Lucas / Spiecapag and CSV Construction (Pty) Ltd (Trenchless Project: New Installation); and IMPREG GmbH and RELINE EUROPE GmbH & SWIETELSKY-FABER GmbH (Trenchless Project: Rehabilitation).
About ISTT
The International Society for Trenchless Technology (ISTT) is a UK-registered charity that promotes trenchless technologies worldwide through its network of 27 Affiliated Societies, marking its 40th Anniversary in 2026.
About the No-Dig Award
Since 1986, the ISTT No-Dig Award has recognized outstanding achievement in trenchless technology worldwide, with more than 60 organizations and individuals honored to date. Entries are open in four categories: academic research or training course, trenchless project, new technology, and student or young professional paper.
Contact: ISTT | info@istt.com