June 6, 2025 – Two Swiss industrial powerhouses, Sulzer and Sika, have recently announced a strategic partnership to establish a joint venture aimed at driving technological innovation in architectural plastic recycling. This collaboration marks a pivotal stride for Europe’s construction industry in its transition toward a circular economy.
Under the signed memorandum of understanding, the newly formed joint venture will be equally owned by both companies with a 50% stake each and is scheduled to commence operations in the second half of 2025. Insights from the Color Masterbatch Industry Network reveal that the venture will initially launch pilot projects in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, focusing on tackling technical challenges in the architectural plastic recycling sector.
Europe’s construction industry generates approximately 2 million tons of plastic waste annually, with current recycling rates remaining low and disposal methods highly fragmented. Ivo Schädler, Head of Sika’s Construction Business, stated, “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our pursuit of sustainability goals. By transforming waste into high-quality raw materials, we can not only reduce carbon emissions but also create new value chains.”
Michael Schüepp, Head of Venture Capital at Sulzer, emphasized, “Our combined technological portfolios will pave the way for a more efficient and lower-carbon development path in the construction industry. The complementary expertise of both companies is expected to set new industry standards for the circular economy.”
As a global leader in specialty chemicals, Sika boasts extensive experience in polymer applications within the construction sector, while Sulzer holds significant technological advantages in chemical recycling processes. Analysts note that this strong collaboration will accelerate the green transformation of the construction industry and provide innovative solutions for global sustainability.