The research and development of new products, systems, technologies, applications, and production processes form the basis of Sika’s innovations. Its research activities are carried out by more than 1,300 employees across 21 global Technology Centers. 64 local and 19 regional research and development facilities are globally aligned to Sika Technology AG.
Courage for Innovation
The Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer combines Innovation and Sustainability. That allows Sika to strengthen and accelerate its concept for enabling sustainable construction and transportation by placing sustainability aspects at the core of strategic and operational innovation processes, while simultaneously driving operational leverage and excellence across the organization.
To help address the global challenge, Sika is addressing climate change comprehensively in its strategic development and has laid important foundations to become a net zero company by 2050.
"Sika is committed to reducing the impact of climate change through its products, solutions and services. It’s our ambition to combine sustainability with high performance. We help our customers reduce their carbon footprint through technology platforms that provide sustainable solutions for industry and construction." Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer
Enabling Sustainable Construction and Transportation
Sika’s goal is to innovate products that enable sustainable construction and transportation, reducing environmental impact along the value chain. Sustainability has become the key driver for R&D projects at Sika. It fuels the quest for alternative, renewable materials, low carbon solutions, new recycling concepts, more efficient production methods like modular building, resource efficiency, healthier and safer spaces for living andworking, enhanced product flexibility, and digitally enhanced solutions.
Global Innovation Management
Sika's Global Innovation Management facilitates the cross-functional combination of sustainability and innovation and provide solutions to changing customer needs and market conditions.
"Manifold cross-functional cooperation within the company and with technology-driven companies, scientific institutions and universities is a fundamental key to create new knowledge, to translate scientific patterns into technology, and to design solutions with performance and sustainability benefits. " Herbert Ackermann, Global Innovation Manager
Global Innovation Challenge
Innovation is part of Sika’s DNA and brand positioning. Sika has created the Global Innovation Challenge as part of its ambition to foster the innovative drive of high potential employees. The purpose of this program is to prepare a new generation of innovation leaders and to embrace key change drivers such as sustainability, digitalization, and the circular economy.
The innovation and development journey 2021/22 involved 33 candidates from twelve different countries that have worked together across regions in five different innovation teams.
"Sika's corporate culture, collaboration and building trust are prerequisites to bring forward innovations as a crucial aspect of the entrepreneurial process. The teams brought forward excellent ideas, collaboratively focused on developing sound solutions whilst training their leadership skills. The Global Innovation Challenge and the results of the teams are demonstrating that Sika has top achievers to exploit and implement new solutions and applications." Daniela Odermatt, Head HR, Corporate Units
21 Locations in 10 Countries
3 Global Technology Centers in France
Gournay
Cergy
Lyon
3 Global Technology Centers in Switzerland
Zurich
Sarnen
Widen
4 Global Technology Centers in Germany
Stuttgart
Leimen
Hamburg
Rosendahl
1 Global Technology Center in Italy
Verona
1 Global Technology Center in Spain
Alcobendas (Madrid)
1 Global Technology Center in the UK
Preston
2 Global Technology Centers in the USA
Lyndhurst
Madison Heights
1 Global Technology Center in Brazil
Lencois Paulista
2 Global Technology Centers in Japan
Hiratsuka
Funabashi-shi
3 Global Technology Centers in China
Suzhou
Shanghai
Guangzhou
Culture of Participation
Sika Technology Centers worldwide are producing and implementing ideas to process new technologies and formulations. Research and development as well as sustainability and operations work together to develop innovations. It's crucial for Sika that all employees have access to appropriate channels to present ideas for possible innovations. Therefore, communication and technology tools are used to ensure a bottom-up communication of ideas to decision makers. This aides in fostering a culture that enables employees on all levels to come forward with initiatives, granting access to a variety of defined channels, and rewarding new ideas.
The innovation platform “Scouts” allows all employees worldwide to contribute their knowledge towards innovation-focused initiatives, and to connect with colleagues to find the right solution for business-related challenges. Scouts is part of Sika’s innovation management and essential to harnessing the creativity of all employees.