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 seven target markets.
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 the fresh or hardened concrete, such as workability, watertightness, durability, load-bearing capacity, or early and final strength. The demand for admixtures and additives is currently on the rise, particularly 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 cementitious materials 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, liquid-applied membranes, waterproofing admixtures for mortars, joint sealants, waterproofing mortars, injection grouts, and coatings. Key market segments include basements, underground parking garages, tunnels, and all types of water-retaining structures (for example reservoirs, storage basins, and storage tanks). Waterproofing systems face increasingly stringent requirements regarding sustainability, ease of application, and total cost management.Therefore the selection of appropriate waterproofing systems to suit the needs and requirements of owners, as well as the treatment of specific project-related details, is 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. 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 the mature markets, the emerging markets are moving towards higher-quality roof solutions for new build structures.
Flooring
Sika’s flooring solutions are based on synthetic resin and cementitious systems for industrial and commercial buildings, for example 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 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, or 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 sealants for the overall durability and energy efficiency of buildings, the 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 concrete protection and repair solutions, for example repair mortars, protective coatings, grouts, and structural strengthening systems. It also includes products for interior finishing, such as leveling compounds, tile adhesives, and tile grouts as well as facade mortars for external use. Sika provides technologies for the entire life cycle of commercial buildings, residential properties, and infrastructure constructions. Especially in developed markets, many structures are decades old and need to be refurbished. The present uptrend in demand is attributable to a rising volume of infrastructure rehabilitation projects in the transport, water management, and energy sectors. The global urbanization trend and the increasing need for renovation in developed markets are also fueling demand.
Building Finishing
This segment focuses on residential and commercial buildings for which Sika provides one of the most comprehensive set of solutions dedicated to tile setting, facade protection and decoration as well as interior wall finishing. Featuring in particular tile adhesives and tile grouts as well as systems for under tile waterproofing and sound reduction. Sika’s offering also 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 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.
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), 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 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.
