Circularity principles are becoming increasingly compelling due to higher awareness and shifting demand towards more sustainable solutions among customers in construction and transportation markets. Sika’s initiatives help the development of a circular economy in its industry. These include partnering with downstream customers, universities and startups to co-design and implement products. Collaboration projects are essential because deep circularity interventions rely on access to cost-effective sustainable energy and renewable/recyclable feedstock with appropriate specifications.
Raw Materials
Sika has actively started a few years ago to seek performance enhancements by using recycled materials and alternative non-fossil based raw materials, for example in the field of mortars which are formulated with the addition of recycled aggregates or residues that come from other industries.
The company uses a small amount of renewable raw materials from plant-based sources, such as castor oil or alcohol. The expanded use of renewable raw materials going forward depends on availability, economic viability, and limitations in the use in formulations compared to non-renewable feedstock. However, through R&D, the company is constantly exploring ways to use non-petroleum-derived materials for Sika products.
Three-quarters of all materials used in production are minerals, such as inorganic fillers and cement. The remaining volume of materials – e.g., for adhesives, resin products, roofing and waterproofing membranes, polymer concrete admixtures, or parts for the automotive industry – are based on crude oil or crude oil derivatives (downstream products) or require fossil fuels for conversion.
Packaging
Projects to use post-consumer recycled plastics in membrane packaging and adhesive cartridges have been successfully developed and introduced together with qualified partners who bring their expertise in material selection, manufacturing process, and packaging designing.
In 2022, Sika has launched in Latin America the Sustainable Packaging Challenge. The goal is to engage with current and potential Sika suppliers to seek innovative sustainability performance enhancement in its approach to packaging. This successful initiative was then repeated in 2023 in North America, Latin America, and Europe. The format of the challenge is as follows: after an initial round of suppliers being invited, those who show interest in participating are requested to submit their sustainable packaging proposal(s) within about two months. Thereafter, each proposal is evaluated by a Sika committee, composed of Sika’s key departments (sustainability, procurement, R & D, operations, marketing, and communication). The top five finalists are selected to participate in a Sustainable Packaging Challenge Live Exhibition, and the winning proposal receives the support it needs to facilitate the integration of a new and sustainable packaging solution into Sika’s product portfolio.
Sika Sustainability & Innovation Challenges
Sustainable Solutions
Through its sustainable solutions, Sika strives to reduce the resource consumption in downstream industries, such as the construction, automotive, or cement industry, where Sika solutions enable customers to increase the use of recycled input materials. The Sustainability Portfolio Management (SPM) is the backbone of the Sustainable Solutions strategy and how Sika structures the innovation of cutting-edge products which combine performance and sustainability benefits, including efficient use of precious resources.