Research and Development: Oxygen for Future Growth
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Technology Center Opens in Zurich
Today Sika officially opens its new technology center in Zurich
Tüffenwies. Some 180 employees from Research and Development (R&D)
find their place in the new building. Sika's rapid expansion during
the past few years requires structural expansion - especially in the
area of innovation. This investment is fundamental for the success
and growth of the coming years. Sika thereby acknowledges Switzerland
as a technology site. The company has invested some 40 million Swiss
francs in the new center.
A further step in the transformation of Sika's traditional main
location from a production site to one of research and education has
thus been realized in Tüffenwies. During the last few years the
central warehouse Switzerland was transferred to Birrfeld in Canton
Aargau, and the production of concrete admixtures to Kirchberg in the
Canton of Berne. The relocation of production of Sikaflex® adhesives
and sealants to Düdingen in Canton Fribourg is currently underway.
The research activity in the new building is primarily dedicated to
Sika products in the areas of sealing and bonding having
polyurethanes, silane-terminated polymers, polyacrylates and epoxy
hybrids as a chemical basis. The new laboratories in Zurich are
located on the building's north side - thus protected from light and
heat exposure. In their modern furnishings with measurement, storage
and climate-controlled rooms the laboratories match top-rate
standards of the chemical industry. They are complemented by office
work spaces which face in a westerly direction and depending on work
requirements can be used as open-space or individual offices.
"Before, researchers were spread across various sites. With the new
building we now concentrate all research areas at one location and
can thereby work more efficiently," says Urs Mäder, Director R&D.
"With the new facility we're able to raise the attractiveness of Sika
Technology still further and as a result find highly qualified
personnel more easily. At the moment we're hiring about 20
researchers per year."
Surrounded by Sika Technology
The researchers can take inspiration in their work from the building
itself, which contains Sika products at numerous locations throughout
the structure. The exposed concrete façade with SCC fluid concrete
(self-compacting concrete), which allows thin-walled construction of
only 10 cm through the use of Sika additive products, conveys the
pioneering performance of this new technology.
In addition, the new technology center follows the Sika concept "from
the foundation to the roof": Sika products are used in below ground
sealing, in the sealing and fixation of the courtyard glass façade as
well as for flooring and wall coverings, and on the roof. The
facility has a combined flooring area of some 10 000 m2 and a volume
of 40 000 m3.
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Sika AG
Zugerstrasse 50
CH-6341 Baar, Switzerland
www.sika.com
Contact: Rainer Weihofen,
Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Tel.: +41 58 436 68 00
Fax: +41 58 436 68 50
weihofen.rainer@ch.sika.com
Sika AG - a corporate profile
Sika AG, located in Baar, Switzerland, is a globally active company
supplying the specialty chemicals markets. It is a leader in
processing materials used in sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing
and protecting load-bearing structures in construction (buildings and
infrastructure construction) and in industry (vehicle, building
component and equipment production).
Sika's product lines feature high-quality concrete admixtures,
specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing
materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring and
membranes.
Subsidiaries in more than 70 countries worldwide and approximately
11,700 employees link customers directly to Sika and guarantee the
success of all of its business relationships. With this business
structure Sika generates annual sales of CHF 4.6 billion. Visit our
website at www.sika.com.
The media release can be downloaded from the following link:
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Sika AG
Zugerstrasse 50 Baar
WKN: 858573; ISIN: CH0000587979;
Index: SMCI, SPI, SPIEX, SMIEXP, SMIM;
Listed: Main Market in SWX Swiss Exchange;