Research & Development

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.

High Performance Toughening Agent: The SmartCore Technology provides exceptional impact resistance designed to withstand dynamic stresses. It allows Sika to formulate SikaPower® two component cold curing epoxies. This bridges the performance gap to one component heat curing epoxy systems traditionally used to bond automotive lightweight structures and the cold curing 2C-epoxy systems used in construction. Markets: Transportation, Wind, General Industry, Agricultural and Construction Vehicles