Circular Economy
Sika’s initiatives impact the development towards a circular economy in its industry, ranging from alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11, 12, and 13, to the partnering with downstream customers, universities and startups to co-design and implement products.
Collaboration projects are essential because the deployment of deep circularity interventions relies on access to cost-effective sustainable energy and renewable/recyclable feedstock with appropriate specifications. Sika has actively started a few years ago to seek performance enhancements by using recycled materials and alternative non-fossil-based raw materials, for example in the field of mortars which are formulated with the addition of recycled aggregates or residues that come from other industries. In addition, projects to use post consumer recycled plastics in membrane packaging and adhesive cartridges have been successfully developed and introduced with qualified partners who bring their expertise in material selection, manufacturing process, and packaging designing.
Moreover, Sustainability Portfolio Management (SPM) is the backbone of the “Sustainable Solutions” strategy and how Sika structures the innovation of cutting-edge products which combine performance and sustainability benefits.
Materials
Sika strives to use input materials efficiently. Research and development are governed by the principles of sustainable development and enhanced customer utilities, such as the demand for resource-saving construction methods, energy-efficient construction materials, or lighter and safer vehicles. Sika’s goal is to assess all new product developments in respect of their sustainability profile, using the comprehensive internally standardized new SPM Methodology. As a result, these projects are also geared towards a higher inherent sustainability profile in raw material sourcing, consumption, production, marketing, use phase, and end-of-life treatment.
Through its sustainable solutions, Sika strives to reduce the resource consumption in downstream industries, such as the construction, automotive, or cement industry, where Sika solutions enable customers to increase the use of recycled input materials. Around two thirds of all materials used in production – e.g., for polyurethane adhesives, epoxy-resin products, polymeric roofing and waterproofing membranes, cementitious mortars, polymer concrete admixtures or parts for the automotive industry – are based on crude oil or crude oil derivatives (downstream products) or require fossil fuels for conversion. Other large contributors are sand, minerals, cement, and water.