Sika is a speciality chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry. Sika is active in the following eight target markets.
Concrete
Sika develops a complete range of admixtures and additives for use in concrete, cement, and mortar production. These products enhance specific properties of fresh or hardened concrete, such as workability, watertightness, durability, load-bearing capacity, and early and final strength. The demand for admixtures and additives is rising as engineers require better performance from concrete and mortar, especially in urban areas and for infrastructure. Furthermore, demand is rising because Sika additives and admixtures facilitate the use of alternative materials, such as processed aggregates (sand) and materials with cementitious properties in cement and mortar – and therefore also in concrete – to reduce the use of clinker and natural sand. This makes concrete more sustainable and significantly reduces CO2 emissions in the construction industry. Digitalization is closely linked to sustainability, and it is gaining importance in the concrete industry. Sika offers cross-linked digital tools for efficiency and productivity improvements. With only a smartphone pictureand strength sensors, Sika’s apps for concrete mix design and sand grading curves bring engineering technology into the palm of your hand.
Waterproofing
Sika’s solutions for waterproofing cover all technologies used for below, and above-ground waterproofing: flexible membrane systems (polymeric sheets, fully bonded membranes, modified bitumen sheets), liquid applied membranes, joint waterproofing systems (waterstops, swelling profiles, adhered tapes), waterproofing mortars, mortar admixtures, and injection resins and grouts. Key market segments are commercial and residential basements, tunnels, bridges, and all types of water-retaining structures, such as reservoirs, storage basins, and storage tanks. Waterproofing systems face increasingly strict requirements regarding speed and ease of application. The selection of the right system for the customer, together with the support of competent waterproofing contractors, are critical for long-lasting and watertight structures.
Roofing
Sika provides a full range of flat roofing systems, incorporating both flexible sheet and liquid-applied membranes. Sika is recognized as a top tier brand in roofing markets with the longest history for single-ply membranes. In 2022, Sika celebrated 60 years of roofing excellence with Sika Sarnafil® roofing systems. Sika roofing solutions are outstanding quality – they are reliable, sustainable, and long-lasting. Demand in this segment is driven by the need for eco-friendly, energy-saving solutions such as green roof systems, cool roofs, and solar roofs, which help reduce CO2 emissions. In recent years, Sika acquired bituminous technologies in markets where bitumen dominates. Liquid applied membranes enable roof renovations to occur without noise, dust, and vibrations. Therefore, renovations can be carried out without interrupting operations inside the building. While refurbishment projects account for a large part of the demand in mature markets, emerging markets are moving towards higher-quality roofing solutions for new structures. For both markets, Sika’s innovative roofing systems provide everything that’s needed, including vapor control layers, adhesives, insulation, fixation, roof drainages, and accessories. Also, digitalization is enhancing what Sika can offer. The company has developed an efficient system for leak monitoring and detection.
Building Finishing
Building Finishing encompasses ceramic tiles and natural stone installation, facade protection and decoration systems, as well as interior wall finishing for both residential and commercial buildings. Sika is a global leader in Building Finishing and provides one of the most comprehensive sets of solutions such as tile adhesives and grouts, systems for under-tile waterproofing and sound reduction, as well as renders and decorative finishes for both exterior and interior walls, and facade Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS).
Global trends such as urbanization, and the strong demand for home improvement, are fueling market growth. The collective desire for structures with lower energy needs and CO2 footprints will foster the expansion of facade insulation systems. Sika’s position as a global leading company means that there is great potential to increase distribution of its Building Finishing products and systems to additional countries. Building Finishing reinforces Sika’s portfolio of technologies for the building envelope from basement to roof.
Flooring
Sika’s flooring solutions are based on synthetic resin and cementitious systems for industrial and commercial buildings, such as pharmaceutical and food production plants, educational and healthcare facilities, parking decks, and private houses. Each market segment is subject to its own requirements in terms of mechanical properties, safety regulations, electrostatic conductivity, and chemical or fire resistance. Trends in the flooring market are being dictated by the increasing number of safety and environmental regulations, as well as customized technical requirements. The high volume of renovation and conversion projects nowadays has boosted the importance of efficient solutions for existing flooring systems. Sika has a leading global position in the development of fast-curing systems in various market segments. The company offers a comprehensive range of low-emission, durable, low-maintenance, easy-to-apply flooring solutions which can be adapted to customer needs.
Sealing & Bonding
Sika offers a wide range of high-performance and durable sealants, adhesives, tapes, and spray foams for the building envelope, interior finishing and infrastructure business. Typical applications include the sealing of movement joints between facade elements to weatherproof buildings, the bonding of wood floors to reduce noise, the sealing of joints in airport aprons, or fire stopping. Urbanization is the megatrend underpinning demand in this market. Demand is being fueled by higher awareness of the importance of these agents for the durability, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality of buildings. Moreover, sealing and bonding is becoming more popular due to the growing use of prefabrication, modular building, and the replacement of mechanical fastening systems by adhesives due to better performance and efficiency.
Refurbishment
This segment includes repair, strengthening, and protective solutions for concrete structures, such as repair mortars, shrinkage compensated high-strength grouts, anchoring adhesives, protective coatings, corrosion control, and structural strengthening systems. Especially in developed markets, many structures are several decades old and need to be refurbished. Sika engineered refurbishment systems enable the life extension of structures, which is often a more sustainable path than demolition and building from scratch. Sika provides technologies for the entire a life cycle of commercial buildings and infrastructure, as well as design and calculation software for structural engineers. The uptick in demand for refurbishment is stemming from a higher volume of infrastructure projects in the transport, water management, and energy sectors, such as the construction and maintenance of wind energy farms.
Industry
Sika products are essential for automobile and commercial vehicle assembly (structural bonding, direct glazing, acoustic systems, reinforcing systems), automotive aftermarket (auto glass replacement, car body repair), marine vessels, industrial lamination, renewable energies (solar and wind), home appliance, and facade engineering (structural glazing, sealing of insulating glass units). Sika is a technology leader in elastic bonding, structural adhesives, sealants, reinforcing, and acoustic applications as well as composite and casting resins. The world’s leading industrial manufacturers rely on Sika’s solutions to enhance product performance and durability, while increasing their own manufacturing efficiency. Sika is helping to overcome some of today’s biggest hurdles in vehicle design. The company helps create lighter, stronger, safer, quieter, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Moreover, Sika’s fast-processing materials and compatibility with automation yields greater productivity. Finally, Sika’s fire protection and thermal conductive materials support the trend towards e-mobility.
