The deal relates to all the activities of concrete admixtures and cement grinding aids in Italy, France, USA, Canada, Morocco and Spain with sales of  around 61 million euro (CHF 75 million) in 2010.

Bergamo-Baar, 13 December, 2011 - Sika is to acquire the global concrete admixtures and cement grinding aids businesses of Italcementi Group (directly or indirectly controlled by Italcementi or Ciments Français), which are on the market under the brand Axim.

Axim has approximately 150 employees and through six legal entities operates several production units and sales organizations in Italy, France, USA, Canada, Morocco and Spain. In 2010 Axim generated sales of around 61 million euro (CHF 75 million).

Axim has an history of over 30 years in the market and offers a broad and innovative range of concrete admixtures, cement grinding aids and specialized chemicals that enhance the performance of cement and concrete, as well as improve cement production efficiency.

“This agreement - stated Giovanni Ferrario, COO of Italcementi Group - will allow the Group to capitalize the value of this business. Moreover this will further extend the relationship between Italcementi and Sika enhancing the reputation of both companies as innovator in the field of concrete and cement”.
This acquisition allows Sika to significantly strengthen its market position in the relevant countries. As Ernst Baertschi CEO from Sika puts it: “This acquisition is a major step for Sika in the process of expanding market shares in the admixture business worldwide”.

Sika AG Corporate Profile
Sika AG, located in Baar, Switzerland, is a globally active specialty chemicals company. Sika supplies the building and construction industry as well as manufacturing industries (automotive, bus, truck, rail, alternative energies, building components). Sika is a leader in processing materials used in sealing, bonding, damping, reinforcing and protecting load-bearing structures. Sika’s product lines feature high-quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring as well as roofing and waterproofing systems. Worldwide local presence in 76 countries and some 14 000 employees link customers directly to Sika and guarantee the success of all partners. Sika generated annual sales of CHF 4.4 billion in 2010. Visit our website
at www.sika.com.

Italcementi Group Profile
Italcementi Group, headquartered in Bergamo, Italy, is the fifth  largest cement producer in the world. The Group companies combine the expertise, know-how and cultures of 22 countries in 4 Continents, boasting an industrial network of 59 cement plants, 11 grinding centres, 5 terminals, 350  concrete batching units and  90 aggregates quarries. In 2010 Italcementi Group had sales  amounting to about 4.8 billion euro. Visit our website at www.italcementigroup.com

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