Sika® unveils a 35% lower-carbon roof waterproofing membrane

Sika®, a leader in innovative waterproofing solutions, proudly announces the launch of Sikalastic®-625 BMS, an advanced polyurethane liquid applied membrane (LAM) for flat roofs, incorporating sustainable chemical innovation. This product reduces carbon footprint by over 35%, representing a step toward a more sustainable construction industry and seamlessly blending high performance with environmental responsibility.

Customers demand lower carbon emissions along with safety and quality standards

In the construction chemicals industry, embodied carbon within the product accounts for a large portion of climate impact. One of the biggest challenges in transitioning to a sustainable industry is incorporating renewable, low-emissions raw materials without compromising performance.

This is particularly important for critical functions like weather resistant flat roofing. Sika has overcome this challenge with the innovative Sikalastic®-625 BMS, which incorporates biomass balanced content and bio-based solvents while retaining all the versatility, reliability, and ease of use of the current Sikalastic® product range.

Emissions reduction without compromise

Customer needs and market demands have always driven the evolution of Sika’s products. Sikalastic®-625 BMS exemplifies this commitment by providing a flexible, seamless roof waterproofing solution that combines advanced technology with renewable materials.

This single component, cold applied, moisture-triggered liquid polyurethane membrane rapidly cures to form a robust, weather-resistant barrier, providing the outstanding performance customers require with the added benefits of a reduced carbon footprint, low odour, and improved safety.

“The launch of Sikalastic®-625 BMS marks a step change by using one of our most popular products to aid the transition to net zero. Not only do our customers benefit by reducing their roof waterproofing carbon footprint by over 35%, but it also sends a strong signal to our suppliers that there is demand in the supply chain for more sustainable solutions,” says Michelle Round, Technology Centre Manager for Sika’s Global Team.

Accelerating the transition to a sustainable roof waterproofing sector

Sikalastic®-625 BMS is the result of years of dedicated research and development aimed at meeting the growing demand for lower-carbon construction solutions. By integrating renewable raw materials, Sikalastic®-625 BMS reduces its carbon footprint while delivering the durability and performance customers rely on. This innovative roofing membrane addresses the critical need for sustainable building practices without compromising on quality or ease of use.

Driving innovation in sustainability

Sika has a longstanding tradition of pushing the boundaries of construction technology. With Sikalastic®-625 BMS, the company took a truly innovative approach, leading a collaborative R&D project that used an advanced computational screening approach to mine an extensive database of bio-based and safer solvents. This accelerated the research stage, rapidly identifying high potential solvents and allowing Sika to bring the formulation to market quickly to meet growing customer demand.

Biomass balance approach delivers further reduction in carbon footprint

To take the emissions reduction further, Sika has included biomass balanced materials in the Sikalastic®-625 BMS formulation. Biomass balanced materials are a direct drop-in solution with immediate sustainability impact. They are chemically and technically equivalent to their fossil-based counterparts, lowering greenhouse gas emissions without changing the performance of the product.

In the biomass balance approach, renewable plant-based materials (biomass) are used to replace some of the fossil resources in the supply chain. The biomass inputs are carefully tracked through the supply chain, and the renewable content is assigned to specific products. This methodical accounting ensures traceability of the biomass, guaranteeing that the sustainable inputs match up with sustainably-marketed products.

Every sale of a biomass balanced product directly supports use of sustainable renewable content, accelerating the transition to a fully circular Net Zero supply chain.

Improving safety, sustainability, and performance

Sika’s innovative R&D approach created an enhanced formulation that uses a bio-based solvent to deliver superior performance as well as safety benefits. Sikalastic®-625 BMS is non-flammable and low-odour (with third party accreditation from Olfasense), enabling usage on highly sensitive sites such as hospitals, food manufacturing plants, and schools.

Like the rest of Sika’s liquid-applied roof waterproofing range, Sikalastic®-625 BMS is certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA), validating its quality and performance based on rigorous national and European standards. The product carbon footprint (PCF) is certified by TÜV Rheinland to give customers confidence in true sustainability benefits.

This product not only meets but exceeds the stringent requirements of modern building projects, offering architects, specifiers, and contractors a robust, sustainable option for their roof waterproofing needs.