Sika has started production of shotcrete admixtures at its main plant in Gournay-en-Bray, France. The set accelerator marketed under the Sigunit^® brand is used primarily in tunnel construction.
 
A crucial factor in shotcrete as it is applied in mining and tunneling is high early strength development. Admixtures in the form of a set accelerator ensure that the shotcrete bonds to rock and concrete, thus facilitating overhead spraying. 
 
“The infrastructure construction market is generally characterized by a high level of resilience in crises,” said Ivo Schaedler, regional manager EMEA. “Even in 2020 capital spending remains strong. With the commissioning of the new facilities at the Gournay-en-Bray plant, our aim is to tap into business potential in France and in north and western Europe and facilitate challenging shotcrete work in mining and tunneling projects with our specialty products. At the same time, we are strengthening our supply chain and competitiveness thanks to a sizeable reduction in logistics costs.”
 
Sika reports that COVID-19 has sparked a contraction in France’s construction sector this year. A recovery is forecast for 2021, with growth of more than 4%. An important driver of this growth will be the government stimulus program worth the equivalent of an estimated CHF 105 billion (approximately $114.7 billion). This program will include investment in the country’s rail infrastructure and in extensive building renovations. Europe’s biggest transport project is already in the implementation phase with the “Grand Paris Express,” a network comprising six automatic metro lines in the Greater Paris region. More than CHF 37 billion (~ $40.4 billion) in investment will be channeled into the project by 2030.
 
Additional details are available at www.sika.com.