Strategy

  • Comprehensive sustainability strategy
  • More value, less impact refers to Sika’s commitment to maximize the value of solutions and contributions to all stakeholders while reducing risks and resource consumption
  • The “More Value” and occupational safety targets were met in 2017, with waste utilization, energy and water consumption falling short of their goals.

 “We are committed to pioneering sustainable solutions to address global challenges, and to achieve this safely with the lowest impact on resources”.

Sika takes a long-term perspective on the development of its business and acts with responsibility towards all stakeholders. We are proud of our sustainability achievements and the fact that we have delivered more value to our stakeholders with less impact on the environment.

Sika is continuously improving its environmental protection and safety performance, through its routine investment planning and maintenance activities. In 2018, Sika spent CHF 14.3 million on technical equipment (previous year: 6.5 million). This corresponds to roughly 6% of total investments of CHF 238.6 million. In addition, Sika invested CHF 30 million (previous year: CHF 26 million) in environment, health, and safety measures, including waste treatment and protecting devices. The total worldwide headcount in this field runs to over 100. Sika employs environment, safety, and sustainability specialists at all its major sites.


More value for all stakeholders
Through its products, systems, and solutions, Sika seeks to generate benefits for stakeholders that far outweigh the negative consequences of the production process and resource consumption. Both the right strategy and trust, as well as the dedicationof all employees, are pillars of Sika’s success. Both the right strategy and the trust as well as the dedication of all employees are pillars of Sika’s success. The Sika journey to global leadership is founded on the company's entrepreneurial philosophy and the Sika Spirit, which is a synonym for the strong set of five values and principles which makes up the DNA and culture of the company: Customer First, Courage for Innovation, Sustainability & Integrity, Empowerment & Respect, and Manage for Results. Sustainability has always been part of our identity. We are committed to continuously measure, improve, report, and communicate sustainable value creation. “More value – less impact” refers to Sika’s commitment to maximize the value of our solutions and contributions for present and future generations.


SUSTAINABILITY AS A BUSINESS DRIVER
In this sense, Sika regards sustainability as a business enabler and business driver, with growing relevance in our construction and industrial target markets, and with special relevance in the transportation target market. We strive to be an industry leader by pioneering a portfolio of sustainable products, systems, and services. These products and systems are designed for energy, material, water efficiency, durability, and safe use. Leadership and innovation in technology and sustainability are core elements of the Sika strategy. On the other hand, we strive to improve our own environmental and safety footprint, reducing energy, water, and material demand per product unit, and work without injuries. To achieve these ambitions, we have set mid-term targets for safety and efficiency, holding line management responsible for implementation. As a basis, Sika honors the principles of the UN Global Compact and has adopted the widely used GRI system for its reporting activities.


Value Creation
Sustainability and long term thinking have been in the center of our identity, and continue to be a core element with a wider meaning for the years ahead. We are committed to measuring, improving, reporting, and communicating sustainable value creation.


Strategy and targets 2014 - 2018 (Five year strategy)
As part of its “More Value – Less Impact” sustainability strategy, Sika has been measuring six parameters for the last five years. In 2018, the targets for sustainable solutions, local communities/society, and energy were met, while in terms of waste utilization, water consumption, and occupational safety, the goals were not achieved. The higher number of accidents in the year under review has negatively impacted the 5-year result, whereas between 2014 and 2017 there was a significant decrease of 27%. Overall Sika was able to reduce the amount of waste per ton sold in 2018 by 1.6%. Considering all acquisitions since 2013, Sika could keep the waste rate per ton sold at the same level. The increase in water consumption is mainly caused by acquisitions processed in 2017 which were taken into account in 2018. In the period of 2014 to 2018, the water consumption was reduced by 42%.

Relevance: Sustainability is relevant as a business enabler, business driver, and brand message, relevant in construction and transportation. We monitor material aspects.

Compliance: Legal and regulatory compliance, anti-corruption, and human rights in the supply chain are the foundations of our business wherever we operate.

Increase Value: Leading the industry by pioneering a portfolio of sustainable products, systems, and services for energy, material and water efficiency, durability, and safe use.

Reduce Impacts: We improve our environmental and safety footprint, reducing energy, water and material demand per product unit, and work without injuries.

Social Progress and Integration: We build trust and create value with communities and society.

To integrate with other stakeholders and to reinforce our commitments, we have been signing on to the UN Global Compact.