Lake Constance near GRAF's southern German home region

About · GRAF Group

German engineering for global water

Otto Graf GmbH develops, manufactures and markets water-management solutions with typical German quality, from Teningen to more than 80 countries.

Specify GRAF in Australia

1962

Founded

700+

People worldwide

500+

Based in Germany

80+

Countries served

GRAF manufacturing yard filled with underground tanks ready for export — Scale at the source: tanks staged for projects across Europe and beyond.

Large tank sections on a GRAF manufacturing floor

Our philosophy

Pure, clean water is essential, and under pressure

GRAF develops, manufactures and markets an extensive range of water-management products. We tackle global challenges such as protecting water sources, purifying wastewater and preventing flooding, with a focus on avoiding environmental pollution and a responsible attitude toward people and nature.

That approach draws on more than 60 years in business. Otto Graf GmbH was established in 1962. Early years centred on containers, barrels and tanks for winegrowers. Plastic's resistance to acids and alkalis opened industrial tank markets, and within a few years GRAF held a leading position in the field.

Rainwater pioneers

From the first rainwater barrels to XXL systems for entire cities

GRAF recognised the potential of rainwater harvesting early. In 1974 the slogan "Rainwater is free" launched the first rainwater barrels, soon followed by further harvesting innovations. That line of business has been developed continuously ever since, through to today's underground tanks, EcoBloc cells and XXL installations.

Customer trust and employee commitment have grown the company to more than 700 people worldwide, over 500 of them in Germany, with exports to more than 80 countries. Innovations continue to mark GRAF as a market leader in water management.

XXL GRAF tank transported from the German manufacturing yard

Recycled plastic bales at industrial scale feeding GRAF production

Circular manufacturing

Recycling is built into how GRAF makes products

Group manufacturing uses recycled plastics at industrial scale. That same circular mindset underpins the tanks and modules we specify in Australia, connecting German production strength with local project delivery.

Our heritage

Engineering the future, built on decades of history

1962
Otto Graf GmbH founded
Otto F. Graf and Elfriede Graf found Otto Graf GmbH in Germany. The early business sold plastic containers and drums for fruit and wine growing, then industrial tanks.
1974
First GRAF rainwater butts
Market launch of the first GRAF water butts under the idea that “rainwater is free” - the foundation of today’s rainwater harvesting range.
1978
Underground rainwater tanks
Plastic underground rainwater tanks open a new product segment. The French subsidiary relocates to Dachstein (Alsace) and starts rotational moulding.
1997-2001
Herkules, infiltration & wastewater
Herkules tank logistics innovation, first-generation percolation blocks for infiltration and retention, then fully biological wastewater treatment systems.
2007-2008
Carat S and Australia
Launch of the Carat S underground tank supports global export growth. Sales branches are founded in Australia and the United Kingdom.
2014
KLARO joins the group
After more than a decade of partnership, Otto Graf GmbH takes over Klaro GmbH - consolidating decentralised sewage expertise within the GRAF Group.
2017-2022
Global growth & 60 years
GRAF Polska, the Herbolzheim Competence Center Raw Materials, the Neuried factory and further international subsidiaries expand recycling and manufacturing. Otto Graf GmbH marks its 60th anniversary in 2022.
Today - Australia
GRAF Australia
Part of the GRAF Group of more than 700 people worldwide, GRAF Australia manufactures rotomoulded products in Western Australia and specifies German-engineered rainwater, stormwater and wastewater systems for Australian sites.