Switzerland-based Sika has expanded its presence in Saudi Arabia by opening a new production plant for concrete admixtures.

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing and protecting in the building sector and motor vehicle industry.

Located in Dammam, the new factory enables Sika not only to increase its production capacity but also, in particular, to optimise its logistics and hence its cost structure, said a statement from the company.

Up to now, Sika supplied its customers in the Saudi capital Riyadh as well as on the east coast with concrete admixtures from the plant in Rabigh, which is located 1,500 and 1,100 km away from Dammam and Riyadh respectively, it said.

The new production facility in Dammam will thus greatly reduce transport distances. It is also ideally positioned to potentially supply customers in neighbouring markets around the Gulf, it added.

Ivo Schädler, regional manager Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Sika, said: “Producing locally in Dammam brings us closer to our customers on the east coast of Saudi Arabia and opens up further growth potential.”

“At the same time, the optimised supply chain will help strengthen our competitiveness in the market,” he added.

With its Vision 2030 and its National Transformation Program, Saudi Arabia wants to reduce its dependence on crude oil and diversify its economy, said a statement.

A range of mega-projects involving huge infrastructure investments will push up demand in the construction sector. The equivalent of CHF500 billion ($505.3 billion) is to be invested in the Neom project alone. This entails the construction of a new city and the world’s most modern technology park, it stated. – TradeArabia News Service