Sika: Launch of new PU technology and investments in production facilities in Düdingen

Sika announced that it has developed a new polyurethane technology, which it is launching onto the market under the Purform brand. According to the company, the new polymers will first be integrated into its top seller Sikaflex, as well as into liquid applied membranes. Sika said this innovation brings important benefits for customers: the products have an improved performance profile, are even more enduring, and have a strong sustainability profile. Investments in the associated production facilities were recently made at the Düdingen site in Switzerland.

Sika said that with its new Purform technology, from 2021 on the company will be supplying customers with products that are said to not only satisfy the highest standards in terms of performance, but that are also in line with the upcoming stricter REACH regulations for enhanced health and safety safeguards for users.

The company said products that use Purform can offer customers major advantages. These include the process efficiency brought by less surface preparation with a simultaneous improvement in adhesive properties. The new technology also makes reliable, stress cracking-free bonding of plastics possible, and delivers very good compatibility with sensitive surfaces such as natural stone. Products using the new technology can be very weather-resistant and can withstand exposure to UV light outdoors for considerably longer. Thanks to their high durability, they are also significantly more sustainable, said Sika.

The next generation of polyurethanes will be produced at the Düdingen site, which is home to one of the company’s largest manufacturing plants in Europe. Sika said by investing in this expansion, it is securing jobs in Switzerland over the long term.

Frank Höfflin, Chief Technology Officer, said: "With the development of the new Purform technology, our experts have created a further growth platform for Sika, with which we can expand our leading position. In line with our principle 'more performance, more sustainability,' we are rigorously implementing our Strategy 2023 from the viewpoint of sustainable, high-performance innovations. With our future-oriented solutions, we are the market leader and enable sustainable construction and transportation."

Sika is one of the world's biggest manufacturers of adhesives and sealants for the building sector and automotive industry.

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