17/02/2023

Pepperl+Fuchs is a pioneer and innovator in the field of sensors as well as electrical explosion protection. This globally active company has a workforce of around 6,600. One of the company’s operations is located in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city and major economic hub of Vietnam with a population of around 9 million. South of this metropolis, Pepperl+Fuchs has built a new factory with floor coatings from Sika.

Pepperl+Fuchs factory in Ho Chi Minh City
Image: Pepperl+Fuchs factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Sensitive Environment

In the sensor production area, the client required 8,000 square meters of floorspace to be fitted with industrial flooring that controls electrostatic discharge (known as ESD flooring). “The specifications were very rigorous, as even low electrostatic discharges of less than 100 volts can lead to serious problems when producing electronically sensitive component parts such as sensors,” explains Jacobo Perez Polaino, General Manager of Sika Vietnam. Therefore, commissioning a supplier with the necessary ESD expertise and the ability to guarantee outstanding technical support when applying the floor coating was crucial for Pepperl+Fuchs.

"Pepperl+Fuchs were very satisfied with our products and the service provided by the entire project team." Jacobo Perez Polaino, General Manager of Sika Vietnam
Jacobo Perez Polaino, General Manager of Sika Vietnam
Image: Jacobo Perez Polaino has worked for Sika for 11 years in a variety of functions and various countries of Southeast Asia. A native of Spain, he has been General Manager of Sika for five years. “Sika gave me the opportunity to grow – both personally and professionally. The role of General Manager brings great responsibility, but I get so much out of it. I make the most of the opportunities I get and now feel very settled in Southeast Asia, which has been my home since 2012.”

Proven Partnership

Pepperl+Fuchs turned to the expertise and quality of Sika on this project just like they did on sites that required ESD flooring in the past. The product selected was the tried-and-tested ESD system Sikafloor® MultiDur ES-56 ESD. This is a self-leveling, two-component epoxy resin system that reliably meets the ESD requirements even under the most difficult environmental conditions of 12% relative humidity at an air temperature of +23°C.

During the implementation phase, staff from Sika’s sales and technical services teams carried out quality reviews and assessments of the project on a regular basis. “We liaised closely with the people responsible on the client side in all phases of the project,” said Jacobo Perez Polaino. Despite a coronavirus lockdown lasting several months, Sika was able to deliver the coating solution on time and met all deadlines. “Pepperl+Fuchs were very satisfied with our products and the service provided by the entire project team,” says Jacobo Perez Polaino.