Sika CEO Eyes China Renovation, Global Data Centers as Growth Engines

Sika (SIKA.S) is shifting its China strategy toward renovation and sees data center construction as a key global growth driver, CEO Thomas Hasler said in an interview published June 5, 2026. The Swiss construction chemicals maker has fragmented its China business to adapt to local variances, moving from a heavy focus on new-build projects to also capture refurbishment demand in saturated markets like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Its automotive unit is expected to maintain growth despite the withdrawal of electric vehicle subsidies. In the U.S., infrastructure construction is largely unaffected by President Trump’s renewable energy stance, and Sika is gaining market share in roads and bridges while commercial construction slumps after tariff escalations hit reshoring activity. Hasler called data centers “a definite growth driver,” with a full project pipeline in Europe and Asia as operators prioritize secure facilities. He also noted tentative improvement in Germany and France, where rising building permits are lifting customer sentiment.