The CLIC® Chronicles: Sika – a leading construction and chemical company putting sustainability first

Founded in Zurich in 1910 and employing more than 27,500 people globally, Sika is a leader in the global construction chemicals sector. Developing and manufacturing a wide range of products – for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting buildings and vehicles – Sika puts sustainability at the forefront of its work, producing the first ever biomass-based protective coating for concrete, manufacturing high-performing grouts with a 30-40% lower carbon footprint, and developing the ground-breaking reCO2ver^® concrete recycling process that includes sequestration of CO₂ and enables the upcycling of old concrete.

Lombard Odier’s future headquarters are currently under construction in Bellevue, Geneva, and the building has taken advantage of Sika’s green solutions by using recycled lean concrete and excavated materials. Built along the shores of Lake Geneva, Lombard Odier also commissioned Sika to ensure the basement levels are sufficiently waterproof.

Read also: Challenges and solutions in sustainable construction – our new headquarters

We asked Thomas Hasler, Sika CEO, how the firm’s products reduce the use of limited resources, and why it pays to promote sustainable construction.

From 2019 to 2023, Sika’s 5-year ambition was to achieve a 15% reduction in water, waste and energy and a GHG emissions reduction of 12%. Over the next 5 years, what more do you think you can do to contribute to an even cleaner economy?

We are progressing extremely well – by 2021 we had already overachieved on our 2023 targets. From 2019 to 2021, measured as per ton sold, we reduced our scope 1 and scope 2¹ emissions – emissions for which the company is both directly responsible and indirectly responsible via energy usage – by 35%, our energy usage fell by 15%, while we consumed 43% less water and produced 20% less waste. The measures we put in place have also helped increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.

This year, we will develop and present Strategy 2028. It will completely integrate sustainability into our business because as the construction and transportation industries decarbonise, we believe this will generate many opportunities for our future growth.

Read also: Calculating a company’s carbon footprint: debunking 7 misconceptions on scope 3 emissions

Sika has committed to science-based targets and wants to reduce carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2050. What will be the most important drivers to achieve this goal?

We officially committed to science-based targets in September 2022 and published our high-level net-zero roadmap. Although scope 1 and scope 2 emissions only make up a small part of our carbon footprint, and we have already done a lot to reduce them, we still see potential for further reduction and will continue to focus on operational efficiencies.

Scope 3 emissions – emissions for which the company is indirectly responsible as arising from its value chain – account for the largest part of our CO₂e emissions, and purchased goods is the biggest contributor within this category. Therefore, it will be key to develop strategic partnerships with suppliers who support Sika’s path to net zero and to accelerate the use of low-carbon materials in our product formulations. The development of new innovative solutions will be even more important going forward – to drive our own net zero journey and to help our customers reach net zero.

Read also: Decarbonising heavy industries: why this crucial transition will succeed little by little

How does Sika reduce raw material use – for example in the production of mortars, clinker or recycled plastics? Are your customers asking for sustainable materials?

We have developed many products that help reduce material consumption. Recently, Sika launched a tile adhesive with zero Portland² cement content and 50% reduced carbon footprint. We offer the first biomass-based protective coating for concrete on the market. Furthermore, we have also developed high-performing grouts with 30-40% lower carbon footprint due to the lower clinker content; clinker is the backbone of cement production. It is essentially a mix of limestone and minerals that have been heated in a kiln and have been transformed by this heat³. Sika admixtures and additives enable the use of recycled or lower-grade aggregates and sand in concrete without compromising performance; and our high-end adhesive technologies help save material in vehicle and battery manufacturing, enabling e-mobility and lightweight vehicle construction.

Nowadays, more and more customers are asking for sustainable materials and solutions to help them decarbonise their products or operations. Larger accounts in the construction industry and car manufacturing have been the first to move in that direction.

Read also: How to reduce a company’s carbon footprint in the race to net zero

What kind of innovations is Sika offering to contribute even more to a circular economy?

With Sika Sarnafil^® AT, Sika has developed and launched the first Cradle to Cradle Certified^TM roofing membrane worldwide. Recycled roof membranes flow into the production of new membranes – in 2021, 350 tons of membranes were recycled in the USA.

Another example is reCO2ver^®, a concrete recycling process developed by Sika. The process segregates demolished concrete back to its original ingredients to be reused for new high-grade concrete. This unique process includes sequestration of CO₂ and produces high quality Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) powder that can replace cement in new concrete and reduce the carbon footprint.