Sika AG (Baar, Switzerland) opened a new plant in Liaoning, the largest province in northeastern China. This site will manufacture a full range of products, including mortars, tile adhesives, and waterproofing solutions. This highly efficient new plant enables Sika to meet the market demands, whilst significantly reducing logistical distances.
The Liaoning plant will cater to Sika customers in three provinces in northeastern China, with a population of more than 98 million, as well as east-central Mongolia. In addition to state-of-the-art production lines, the new facility provides office spaces, laboratories, warehousing, and logistics. Currently, Sika has 34 manufacturing sites in China and has been active in the Chinese market for over three decades.
The Liaoning plant will produce a range of mortar products that incorporate up to 20% recycled raw materials during the manufacturing process, such as waste dust and mineral waste residues. In addition, Sika has launched an initiative to transition from natural to alternative sands. In 2023, Sika China already had reached a 13% alternative sand ratio in its mortar production, with half of the plants contributing to this initiative. Looking ahead, Sika China plans to replace 50% of its overall sand consumption with alternative options by 2028.
By Mary Bailey
Source: chemengonline.com
Dulux paint maker Akzo Nobel said on Thursday it had appointed Fredrik Westin as its chief financial officer from January 1, 2026. Westin will succeed Maarten de Vries, who is completing his second four-year term as finance chief and will retire from Akzo Nobel in April next year.
The acquisition aligns with Henkel’s global growth strategy in the Adhesive Technologies business unit and reflects a key milestone in expanding its footprint in emerging markets. It enables the company to accelerate its presence in South Africa – a region with strong demand for high-performance repair and protection technologies in critical industries.
BASF announces the appointment of Michael Roy as Managing Director of BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, effective July 1, 2025. He succeeds Vimala Arumugam, who will retire after a distinguished career with the company. Currently serving as Director of Human Resources for Performance Materials Asia Pacific, Michael Roy brings over a decade of experience with BASF.
