As Europe faces the dual challenge of aging transport infrastructure and increasingly severe climate impacts, innovation is essential to ensure that roads, railways, bridges, and waterways remain safe, resilient, and sustainable. This is the ambition behind MATTERS (Materials and Technologies for Enduring, Resilient, and Sustainable Transport Infrastructure), a four-year Horizon Europe research and innovation project that brings together leading industry and research partners to develop the next generation of transport infrastructure solutions.
Sika Contributes Advanced Solutions for European Infrastructure Innovation Project
As a project partner, Sika is contributing its expertise in advanced construction materials and infrastructure technologies to help extend asset service life, reduce environmental impacts, and improve resilience against climate-related hazards. The company brings innovative solutions including ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) technologies such as Sikacrete®-920 UHP and concrete monitoring systems that support longer-lasting infrastructure and improved asset performance.
Driving Circularity and Climate Resilience
The MATTERS project takes a holistic life-cycle approach, addressing every stage from design and construction to maintenance, repair, and eventual decommissioning. Research activities focus on low-carbon construction materials, increased use of recycled content, service-life extension technologies, and digital tools that help infrastructure owners make more sustainable decisions. The project also promotes circular economy principles through reuse-by-design methodologies and digital product passports, while integrating nature-based solutions into future infrastructure planning.
To demonstrate the impact, MATTERS technologies and methodologies will be validated in operational environments across major European transport corridors, covering road, rail, and waterway infrastructure. These demonstrations will provide valuable evidence on resilience, sustainability, durability, and environmental performance.
Supporting the Future of European Infrastructure
Through its participation in MATTERS, Sika reinforces its commitment to innovation and sustainability, helping shape infrastructure solutions that reduce carbon emissions, optimize resource efficiency, and increase the longevity of critical transport assets. By combining advanced materials, digital technologies, and practical expertise, Sika is contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future for Europe's transport networks.