Sika Partners with ETH Zurich to Advance Living Lab HIL Project Driving Sustainable and Circular Construction Innovation

Annette Oxenius (left), Vice President for Research at ETH, and Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation & Sustainability Officer at Sika, reaffirm the collaboration within the Living Lab HIL. The partnership strengthens the joint development of innovative solutions for sustainable and future oriented construction.

(IN BRIEF) Sika has partnered with ETH Zurich as a funding contributor to the Living Lab HIL project, supporting early development phases from 2026 to 2028 focused on planning the refurbishment and expansion of a key academic building. The initiative aims to create a real-world testing environment for sustainable construction practices, including carbon reduction, digitalisation, and circular economy solutions, with the project running through to 2035. Backed by the ETH Foundation and involving close collaboration between researchers, students, and industry partners, the project is designed to bridge the gap between research and practical implementation. Sika’s participation highlights its commitment to advancing sustainable construction and accelerating innovation through strong partnerships between industry and academia.

(PRESS RELEASE) BAAR, 20-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Sika has joined ETH Zurich’s “Living Lab HIL” initiative as a funding partner, reinforcing its commitment to advancing sustainable construction through collaboration with leading academic institutions. The company is providing substantial financial support for the project’s early phases, including Exploration in 2026, Synthesis in 2027, and Transfer in 2028, which will focus on planning the refurbishment and expansion of the ETH building that houses the Architecture and Civil Engineering departments.

These initial stages will establish the foundation for transforming the site into a real-world case study that demonstrates circular construction principles, resource efficiency, and digital innovation in the built environment.

Living Lab HIL represents a long-term, globally unique initiative designed to explore and validate new approaches to sustainable construction through to 2035. The project will serve as a testing ground for solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions, advancing digitalisation, and promoting circular economy practices within the construction and real estate sectors.

Through close collaboration, researchers, students, and industry partners will work together to design, develop, and test innovative concepts. These solutions will later be implemented during subsequent phases of the project, creating a direct pathway from research to real-world application.

Sika’s involvement reflects its broader strategy to accelerate the transition toward more sustainable building practices. By engaging in Living Lab HIL, the company is contributing both financial resources and technical expertise, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and industry implementation.

The initiative is also supported by the ETH Foundation through a long-term funding commitment, ensuring continuity and stability throughout the project’s lifecycle. Beyond financial contributions, the collaboration is characterised by ongoing dialogue between Sika’s experts and ETH Zurich’s project teams, enabling knowledge exchange and the integration of innovative ideas into practical construction solutions.

By combining academic research with industry expertise, Living Lab HIL is positioned to demonstrate how sustainable and circular construction methods can be effectively applied at scale, supporting broader efforts to meet climate targets and reshape the future of the built environment.

SIKA CORPORATE PROFILE

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. In 2025, Sika’s 33,700 employees generated annual sales of CHF 11.20 billion.

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SOURCE: Sika