Construction Fixings

Sika AG has developed a new polyurethane technology Purform®, which it says has an improved performance profile; is more enduring; and has a strong sustainability profile.

Polyurethanes have many different applications in the construction sector and automotive industry. For example, polyurethane-based joints are used in the weather resistant sealing of façade elements on buildings, as well as to affix building components in infrastructure expansion or interior finishings with adhesives. These high performance solutions are also used in the bonding of body components and battery systems for electric vehicles.

Thanks to this new technology, Sika will be supplying customers with products that 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.

Sika says Purform® can offer its 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, as well as delivering the best compatibility with sensitive surfaces such as natural stone. Products using the new technology can be extremely weather resistant and can also withstand exposure to UV light outdoors for considerably longer. Thanks to their high durability, they are also significantly more sustainable.

This next generation of polyurethanes will be produced at Sika’s Düdingen site in Switzerland, which is home to one of Sika’s largest manufacturing plants in Europe. By investing in this expansion, Sika is also securing jobs in Switzerland over the long-term.

“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,” comments Frank Höfflin, chief technology officer at Sika.