SIKA TECHNOLOGY AG

Their core work

Sika Technology AG is the R&D arm of Sika Group, a major Swiss multinational specializing in construction chemicals — particularly concrete admixtures, cement additives, and structural repair materials. Within H2020, they contribute industrial expertise in concrete durability, sustainable binder systems, and lifecycle assessment of cementitious materials. Their role is that of an industrial technology partner who brings real-world formulation know-how and testing capabilities to academic-led research consortia focused on next-generation concrete solutions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Sika's H2020 activity spans only 2016–2018 start dates, making it a compact window. Their earliest project (LORCENIS, 2016) focused on concrete performance under extreme operational loads for energy infrastructure. By 2018, the focus shifted clearly toward sustainability — alkali-activated materials, industrial by-products as cement replacements, carbon footprint reduction, and lifecycle assessment — reflecting the broader construction industry pivot toward decarbonization of cement and concrete.

Sika is moving from performance-focused concrete R&D toward sustainable, low-carbon alternatives — a trajectory aligned with EU Green Deal demands on the construction sector.

How they like to work

Sika never coordinates — they join as participant or third party, contributing industrial R&D expertise to consortia led by universities or research institutes. With 81 unique partners across 23 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, well-connected consortia typical of RIA actions. This suggests they are a sought-after industrial partner valued for bringing real market applicability to academic research.

Despite only 4 projects, Sika has built a remarkably broad network of 81 partners across 23 countries, reflecting participation in large multi-partner RIA consortia. Their reach spans most of the EU with no visible geographic concentration beyond their Swiss base.

What sets them apart

Sika brings something rare to research consortia: they are not a lab or a startup, but a global market leader in construction chemicals with direct commercialization pathways. Any concrete or binder technology validated with Sika as partner has a credible route to industrial-scale production and market adoption. For consortium builders, having Sika on board signals immediate industrial relevance and strengthens exploitation plans.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DuRSAAM
  MSCA training network on alkali-activated materials — positions Sika at the forefront of the cement decarbonization talent pipeline as a third-party host.
• InnovaConcrete
  Unusual application of concrete chemistry expertise to cultural heritage conservation — demonstrates versatility beyond standard infrastructure use cases.
• EnDurCrete
  Largest single EC contribution to Sika (EUR 254,100), focused on integrating industrial by-products into durable concrete — directly aligned with circular economy goals.