
Sika Limited, the UK subsidiary of the worldwide Sika Group was established in 1927 and through both organic growth and commercial acquisition, including the incorporation of former Trocal and Armorex materials, produces and markets a wide range of state-of-the-art systems. This activity is underpinned by unrivalled innovation in product development, the highest standards of manufacturing and renowned technical advice and in-situ guidance. Pioneers of a fully integrated service, the company is acknowledged in providing for end users or their specifiers, be they clients, designers, engineers, producers, distributors, merchants and contractors.
Within the UK, as in all other group locations, Sika operates to optimal levels of performance, demonstrated through possession of EN ISO 9001 certification for quality control and EN ISO 14001 for environmental management. Wherever possible products are manufactured to European and British Standards, are approved by the British Board of Agrément or provide unique and superior properties. Additionally, Sika Limited was one of the first companies in construction and industrial products to achieve the status of Investors in People, a benefit to those using the organisation, be it in the form of RIBA CPD accredited presentations, project surveys or after sales guidance.
Sika Limited are also active members of many organisations and bodies relevant to the strategic application fields.
The reputation for Sika for quality and reliability is virtually unmatched, illustrated through a comprehensive portfolio of problem solving products that have been employed for many years in wide diversity of applications.
A total of 9,000 linear metres of a new specification sealant from Sika has been used on the external refurbishment of Nelson Gate in Southampton.
The sealant, Sikaflex-AT Facade, has been used to replace the failed movement joints between the pre-cast panels of the structure. Sika say the sealant is part of the new generation complete sealant and bonding system which is based on a new type of hybrid polymer combining the best properties of both PU and MS technologies. It offers the user the advantages
Waterproofing of the Buddleia Project's Victorian warehouses in Liverpool has been provided by Sika's Waterproofing Systems.
Over 4000m? of BBA certified Sika-1 Waterproofing System was installedin the basement area of the buildings, together with the SikaDur Combiflex jointing system. Sika-1 is a structural rendering system suitable for tanking the majority of basements.
Over 1200m? of Sika watertight concrete and 1500m of Sikaswell P hydrophilic strip for construction joints has been used in the basement areas of the MK Dons new stadium. The concrete provided a BS8102 waterproof grade 3 solution for the basement structure with the Sikawell S offering a gun applied adhesive sealant for watertight joints, pipe entry and other penetrations.
A multi-functional admixture from Sika in the production of ready-mix concrete has been utilised on Bridgewater Place Tower in Leeds. The Sikament 160 formulation employed ensures the workability of the concrete to a height of 100m above the static permanent pump. No problems were encounted, with a average pump-delivery rate of 36 to 42m?/hr with each floor slab requiring five pours of 175m?.
Products from Sika were recently used to strengthen and repair three road bridges in Farnham, Surrey. The three bridges were built in the 1970s and had suffered deterioration due to the ingress of road salts and general exposure to the elements.
Following removal of defective concrete, the bridges were repaired using the MonoTop concrete repair system. This cementitious pre-bagged system is designed to be easy to mix and apply, has high build characteristics, and bonds well to concrete.
Ensuring extra strength to conform with the new 40 tonne weight limit, one of the bridges has the company's CarboDur structural strengthening system specified. This comprises of pultruded carbon fibre plates which were bonded to the underside of the bridge with SikaDur 30, a cold cure adhesive.
Armorex L2 High Flow from Sika has been used to grout down 42 wind turbines to concrete bases on the Blacklaw Windfarm project in Lanarkshire, Scotland. A formulated pre-mix powder, the non shrink grout is designed for heavt static loads, where strength is required. It requires the addition of water to provide a high strength grout.