From Customer to Innovation

Megatrends like CO2 reduction, urbanization, e-mobility, ease of design and lightweight construction are reshaping economies, businesses, and lifestyles. Environmental changes and growing population require cleaner energy and better-functioning cities. These forces are driving the demand for intelligent construction materials and smart mobility systems to ease congestion. Technological answers include smart products which will bring digital intelligence to new places, as sensor-equipped machines become increasingly autonomous thanks to decision-making software.

E-Mobility

Sika targets the development of proprietary technology that provides key performance benefits and allows Sika’s product platforms to respond to global trends, such as resource-saving building methods, energy-efficient and low-emission construction materials, high-speed manufacturing methods, or lighter and safer vehicles.

Sika key projects focus on high-performance molecules with unique features, smart refining techniques for polymers and surfaces, and tailored laboratory equipment allowing quick scale-up to full-size production. In collaboration with technical operations, Sika engineers and researchers also aspire to tighten the comprehensive product assortment, to invest in new component technologies and to simplify processes in production, marketing, and distribution.

CO2 Reduction

Performance is the foundation of sustainability. Sika products take less from the environment and offer more in durability and longevity, which results in a smaller overall environmental footprint. Working to create industry leading innovations that extend the product life cycle – from concrete and flooring products, to sealants and roofing systems used on buildings and parking garages, bridges and stadiums as well as dams and water treatment facilities — Sika seeks to make a difference in meeting the sustainable challenges the industry and planet face today and tomorrow.
 

Exemplary technologies:
  • Waterproofing solution for concrete basement
  • High performance sustainable mortars
  • Synthesizing bio-based PCE superplasticizers
  • Protective coatings for concrete
  • Concrete Reinforciong Fibers

Urbanization

Urbanization is one of the most prominent megatrends. It is characterized by greater diversification, more high-rise buildings, larger building complexes, and growing demand for infrastructure services. At the same time, the quality requirements that buildings have to meet are rising in response to increased safety and sustainability reagulations, lack of space, or dense traffic. Sika provides the solutions to overcome these challenges in collaboration with customers and is set to benefit from these trends.
 

Exemplary technologies: 
  • High Performance Concrete
  • Sikasil to insulate glass facade elements
  • SikaProof A+  

Lightweight Construction

Light, comfortable vehicles with more electrification components are becoming a standard in the automotive industry. Sika is helping to drive this trend with structural and heat-conductive adhesives and products for damping and reinforcing body construction.

Body in white car in a production line previously being assembled with SikaPower
SikaPower® MBX  

First Body Shop adhesive able to absorb tensions caused by different thermal elongations.

Sikaflex® UHM  

First Semi Structural 1C-PUR suitable for mixed bonding in the assembly line.

SikaForce® Powerflex
(2C-UHM)
 

Semi-structural 2C-PUR with unique mechanical and cure performance - under development.

SikaForce®-757x

Unique Elastic  2C-PUR products for PC and plastic bonding  (roof and tailgate) - under development.

Ease of Design and Application

The construction industry is always changing and evolving. For example, prefabrication and modular construction have both increased in popularity over the last couple of years. Both trends are energy efficient and cost-effective, which is ideal at a time when most material prices are rising. But not only. Complex requirements due to global and local construction standards require a lot of knowledge. With an overall ease of design, the actual work on the construction sites therefore has to be facilitated. Sika technologies are sophisticated in terms of performance and sustainability, but easy to apply.  

 
3-D Printing

Productivity Improvement

The formerly so called “brick and mortar” industry has entered the digital age. The digital push is accelerating. Processes which are digitalized from start to finish raise standards and increase construction speed. The value chain is changing fundamentally, from 3D planning to digital processes carried out on the construction site but also in the manufacturing process. Digitalization does not depend on new tools and new software; it is more about the mindset. Initially, it is all a question of the right business model – the process requirements and the essential technologies will follow, allowing the construction sector to exploit the massive potential of digitalization. It is unstoppable.

 

Key Achievements

Application system for high-precision concrete 3D printing

Novel amine hardeners for flooring and coatings

High-end micro fibers for shotcrete/precast concrete