Research & Development

Sika’s sustainability journey shows the way to a consistent combination of sustainability and innovation. A pivotal part of this journey is the transition to partially bio-based epoxy resins.

Sika’s long history of innovation has led to unparalleled success in becoming a recognized global technology leader in many markets, as well as creating value for Sika’s customers. Recently, Sika has won the Swiss Technology Award for its new, high-performance adhesive technology used in lightweight construction in the field of transportation.

The new patented hybrid Sarnafil® AT technology refers to a versatile membrane that is easy-to-apply and long-lasting for sustainably designed roofs. Sika has combined all the best attributes of single-ply roof membranes into one new ‘Advanced Technology’ Sarnafil® AT.

Sika supports its customers with innovative, eco-efficient solutions. In the so-called biomass balance approach, renewable raw materials like bio-based naphtha and biomethane from organic waste are used as raw materials when manufacturing primary chemical products and are fed into the production. The proportion of bio-based raw materials is then arithmetically assigned to certain products according to a certified method. This attribution model is comparable with the principle of green electricity. An independent certification confirms that the initiator of the bio-mass balanced approach has replaced the quantities of fossil resources required for the biomass-balanced product sold with renewable raw materials. In addition, the certification provides the additional benefit of ensuring that sustainably sourced raw materials were used.

Cement clinker is a key component of concrete, but also a major source of industrial greenhouse gas emissions. This is why substitute agents are already being used today to reduce the clinker content in cement production. Sika supports the process of substitution with its concrete and cement admixtures, while at the same time researching new solutions with a view to reducing the clinker component further.

The world is running out of sand. However, Sika has the solutions to solve this problem in the construction industry. Sand covers much of the earth’s surface, but sand isn’t just sand. In the industrial world, it’s an “aggregate,” a category that includes gravel, crushed stone, and various recycled materials. Natural aggregate is the world’s second most heavily exploited natural resource after water, and for many uses the right kind is scarce or inaccessible.

Urban construction requires high-strength concrete and reinforcement solution for demanding projects like highrise buildings or infrastructure projects where the concrete has to withstand high pressures. In recent years, Sika has expanded its presence in the fast-growing concrete reinforcing fiber market, with several acquisitions and investments in new production lines.

Sika has received the "Research Cooperation Prize" from the Technical University of Madrid for its socio-economic impact and relations with the university. The accolade recognizes the company's commitment to innovation and its model relationship with the university, which has been close for more than 20 years.

Sika is committed to providing reliable watertight solutions for even the most challenging requirements. The vision was to come up with an innovative product that promotes adhesion to fresh concrete without the need for a fleece backing.

Highspeed 3-D Printing has become reality: Automated technologies such as 3-D printing, extrusion, the use of artificial intelligence and virtual reality will revolutionize the construction industry - in particular 3-D printing technology is considered a driver for a paradigm shift in concrete industrialization.