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.
Building Finishing
Sika provides one of the most comprehensive set of solutions dedicated to tile setting, facade protection and decoration, as well as interior wall finishing, for both residential and commercial buildings. The offering comprises tile adhesives and tile grouts, as well as systems for under-tile waterproofing and sound reduction. Furthermore, it includes products for exterior and interior walls, such as wall levelling products, decorative finish renders, and facade External Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS). The global urbanization trend, and the increasing need for home improvement, further fuel the market. Through a solid presence in rapidly evolving distribution channels, servicing fragmented contractors, and its comprehensive portfolio of complementary technologies for the building envelope from basement to roof, Sika addresses the increasing demand for quality, comfort, aesthetics, and environmentally friendly solutions.
Concrete
Sika develops and markets 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 currently on the rise, due to the increased performance requirements placed on concrete and mortar, especially in urban areas and for infrastructure construction. Furthermore, the increasing use of alternative materials, such as processed aggregates (sand) and alternative materials with cementitious properties in cement, mortar, and therefore also in concrete, leads to a growth in the need for admixtures.
Waterproofing
Sika’s system solutions for waterproofing cover the full range of technologies used for below and above-ground waterproofing: flexible membrane systems (polymeric sheets, modified bitumen sheets), liquid applied membranes, joint waterproofing systems (waterstops, swelling profiles, adhered tapes), waterproofing mortars and 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 stringent requirements regarding speed and ease of application, as well as total cost management. The selection of the appropriate system in line with the needs and expectations of the end customer, as well as well-trained and competent specialized waterproofing contractors, are key for long-lasting and watertight structures.
Roofing
Sika provides a full range of single-ply and built-up flat roofing systems, incorporating both flexible sheet and liquid-applied membranes, as well as thermal insulation and various roofing accessories. In recent years, Sika has acquired bituminous sheet membrane technologies in markets where bitumen technology dominates. A more than 50-year history has documented that Sika roofing solutions are outstanding performers: 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 simultaneously help to reduce CO2 emissions. While refurbishment projects continue to gain significance in mature markets, emerging markets are moving towards higher-quality roofing solutions for new-build structures.
Flooring
Sika’s flooring solutions are based on synthetic resin and cementitious systems for industrial and commercial buildings, such as pharmaceutical and food-sector production plants, public buildings such as educational and healthcare facilities, parking decks, and private residential properties. Each market segment is subject to its own particular requirements in terms of mechanical properties, safety regulations (for example slip resistance), antistatic performance, and chemical or fire resistance. Trends in the flooring market are being dictated by the growing significance of safety and environmental regulations, as well as customized technical requirements. The high volume of building alteration and conversion projects nowadays has boosted the importance of efficient solutions for the refurbishment of existing flooring systems.
Sealing & Bonding
Sika offers a wide range of high-performance and durable sealants, tapes, spray foams, and elastic adhesives for the building envelope, for both interior finishing and for infrastructure construction. Typical applications include the sealing of movement joints between facade elements to make buildings weatherproof, the bonding of wood floors to reduce noise, and the sealing of joints in airport aprons. The growing demand in this market is fueled by an increasing awareness of the importance of high-performance adhesives and sealants for the overall durability and energy efficiency of buildings, the growing use of different materials, increasing urbanization including the larger volumes of high-rise projects, and the continued replacement of mechanical fastening systems by adhesives due to better performance.
Refurbishment
This segment features repair, strengthening and protective solutions for concrete structures, such as repair mortars, non-shrinking high strength grouts, anchoring adhesives, protective coatings, corrosion control and structural strengthening systems. Especially in developed markets, many structures are decades old and need to be refurbished. Sika provides technologies for the entire life cycle of commercial buildings and infrastructure constructions, as well as design and calculation software for structural engineers and designers. The present uptrend in demand is attributable to a rising volume of infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the transport, water management, and energy sector, such as the construction and maintenance of wind energy farms.
Industry
The markets served by Sika include 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, serving the world’s leading industrial manufacturers. Customers rely on Sika’s solutions to enhance product performance and durability, while optimizing manufacturing efficiency. For example, Sika’s solutions address key megatrends in vehicle design, leading to lighter, stronger, safer, quieter, and more efficient vehicles, while fast-processing materials and compatibility with automation optimize productivity.