Sika Malaysia expands sustainable solutions to support nation's infrastructure growth

New Straits Times

27-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia ramps up efforts to moderniseinfrastructure and prioritise sustainable development, global construction materials company Sika is steadily expanding its role in supporting the nation's evolving built environment.
With over 100 years of experience and operations in more than 100 countries, the Switzerland-headquartered company has embedded itself into Malaysia's construction sector, contributing to a range of national projects.
Its local subsidiary, Sika Malaysia, has supplied materials and technical expertise to notable developments including Merdeka 118 and an upcoming data centre in Elmina Park.
Reflecting its commitment to the market, Sika Malaysia recently relocated its headquarters from Petaling Jaya to Bangsar South, centralising the group's supporting functions under one roof to boost operational efficiency and foster a unified culture for its 420-strong workforce.
The company is currently led by its general manager, Francisco Retondo.
Nearly 75 per cent of its products sold in Malaysia are manufactured locally, supported by multiple manufacturing facilities across the country.
The primary manufacturing site in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, acts as the central hub, housing production plants, a warehouse, a laboratory, and administrative offices.
Additional production locations include Teluk Gong and Bukit Raja in Selangor, Ipoh in Perak, Senai and Gelang Patah in Johor, as well as Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
This extensive manufacturing footprint strengthens local supply chains and enhances resilience against global logistical disruptions.
Sika Malaysia leverages its parent company's network of 18 Global Technology Centers—including four based in Asia, specifically in China and Japan—to adapt international innovations to local conditions.
This includes addressing Malaysia's tropical climate and high rainfall levels through advanced waterproofing systems and durability-enhancing concrete admixtures.
Strategic acquisitions and partnerships have also played a key role in Sika's growth. The acquisition of MBCC Group in May 2023 significantly bolstered Sika's global construction chemicals portfolio, while compliance with antitrust regulations led to divestment of some admixture businesses to private equity firm Cinven.
Earlier, in May 2019, the acquisition of ParexGroup expanded Sika's building finishing segment, adding products such as tile adhesives, façade mortars, and waterproofing solutions.
Locally, Sika has partnered with Dr. Grout Malaysia, a leader in tile grout restoration, combining Dr. Grout's service expertise with Sika's product performance to elevate tile care standards nationwide.
Central to Sika's operating model is its sustainability framework, aimed at reducing environmental impact while delivering long-lasting performance.
At the global level, Sika targets a 12 per cent reduction in carbon emissions per ton of product sold by end-2025, and is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
This includes interim targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)—namely a 50.4 per cent cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and 30 per cent in Scope 3 emissions by 2032.
In Malaysia, this translates into initiatives such as solar panel installations, electric forklift adoption, and the use of supplementary cementitious materials to reduce carbon intensity and extend the life cycle of structures.
Sika's commitment to sustainability is also reflected in its Strategy 2028, which places the development of sustainable solutions at its core. Its product engineers aim to extend the lifespan of buildings and industrial applications, reduce maintenance needs and emissions, and improve both energy and material efficiency—all while enhancing user safety and ease of application.
"As Malaysia accelerates its shift toward sustainable and digitally driven infrastructure, we remain focused on providing high-performance solutions that help reduce environmental impact," said Francisco Retondo, General Manager of Sika Malaysia. "Our goal is to be a long-term partner in the country's development—leveraging local manufacturing, global expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainability."
To further reduce its environmental impact, Sika is reformulating its products with alternative, renewable, or recycled materials, partnering with suppliers to lower the carbon footprint of raw materials and packaging, and targeting reductions in waste disposal and water discharge per ton of product sold.
Sika also recognises that people are key to driving sustainability. As part of its efforts, the company empowers employees through innovative development programs designed to drive growth and long-term success.
Sika Malaysia is also aligning its growth trajectory with the country's broader digital and industrial ambitions. Between January and October 2024, Malaysia recorded RM141.7 billion in data centre investments, reflecting momentum in digital infrastructure.
With a strong pipeline of industrial and infrastructure projects, the company is projecting revenue growth of 10 to 15 per cent in 2025, significantly outperforming the construction industry's national average of 5.4 per cent.
To navigate inflationary pressures and rising input costs, Sika is leaning into value-added, performance-based solutions, ensuring that sustainability and cost-efficiency go hand in hand.