Research and Development: Oxygen for Future Growth

Technology Center Opens in Zurich

21-Apr-2008

Sika officially opened 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. According to the company, this investment is fundamental for the success and growth of the coming years. 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."

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/80990/research-and-development-oxygen-for-future-growth.html