Sika invests in macrofibers in the USA

Sika from Baar in the canton of Zug is backing the market for synthetic macrofibers in North and South America. According to a press release from the Swiss specialty chemicals company, it has increased production capacities for these fibers at its factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee. With this move, Sika is “further strengthening its position as the leading single-source supplier to the mining industry and a strong partner for sustainable construction projects.”

According to the information provided, synthetic macrofibers shorten construction times as they mean that there is no need to assemble conventional reinforcement structures and they significantly improve the properties of cured concrete versus using steel reinforcements. Additionally, they extend the lifespan of concrete structures and thus their sustainability. Sika states that these factors have a positive impact on green building classification such as the international LEED certification system.

Christoph Ganz, Regional Manager Americas, states that demand for macrofibers for the creation of abrasion-resistant slabs and industrial flooring has also increased in the USA due to a boom in the construction of sustainable gigafactories and data centers. Furthermore, demand for macrofibers for shotcrete has also risen in Canada and Latin America in addition to the USA for stabilizing tunneling and mining excavations. He adds: “This smart investment will allow us to make further advances in our market penetration throughout Region Americas, unlocking the potential offered by strong growth markets on a targeted basis.” ce/mm