Austria’s Pewag Eyes Malaysia Market For Traction Chains

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- A booth displaying a seemingly simple and modest set of metal chains at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NATSEC) Asia 2026 exhibition drew attention over its relevance to Malaysia’s tropical terrain and weather.

Austria-based manufacturer, Pewag, is using the platform to position Malaysia and Southeast Asia as a key growth market for its specialised traction chains, designed for muddy and off-road defence operations.

Its Head of International Sales (Traction Chains), Martin Baumgartner, told Bernama that the company is participating in DSA to introduce its products to the Malaysian Armed Forces while exploring testing opportunities.

Pewag produces a wide range of chains, including snow and traction chains, lifting chains, lashing chains and tyre protection chains, all tailored for heavy-duty transport, logistics and defence vehicles operating in challenging environments.

Baumgartner said Pewag’s traction chains are made from special alloy steel and undergo a hardening process to withstand extreme conditions, particularly in muddy terrain common in tropical regions.  

“The chain is mounted slightly loose on the tyre, which helps clean the tyre profile so it is always ready for traction,” he said, adding that embedded traction bars can improve grip in mud by up to 30 per cent.

He described Malaysia as a strategic gateway into Southeast Asia, noting similar terrain challenges across the region and growing interest from other countries attending the exhibition.

“For us, Southeast Asia, especially Malaysia, would be a really important market.  Not just Malaysia, there is good interest and discussions with other countries at DSA showed wider regional potential,” he said.

He added that its traction chains, combined with wear bars, offer enhanced durability, longer service life and stable performance at higher speeds, while remaining lightweight for easier handling and storage in demanding operational conditions.

-- BERNAMA