20/09/2022
In addition to concrete admixtures, Sika is now manufacturing mortar products at its facility in Myanmar's largest city, Yangon. The expansion of the existing site facilitated additional production capabilities and operational growth. Around eight million people live in the Yangon metropolitan area, a region that generates a quarter of Myanmar’s gross domestic product.
The extension of locally manufactured Sika products is an important step to support Myanmar's expanding construction industry. Along with improving efficiency, this expansion will result in shorter transport distances. This not only cuts costs, but also helps reduce CO2 emissions.
"The consistent expansion of our supply chain in the emerging markets of Southeast Asia is part of Sika’s growth strategy. Adding mortar production to the Sika portfolio makes us the first – and so far, the only – international company to offer high-performance products and solutions locally in Myanmar. Together with our outstanding technical service, this expansion allows us to address the needs of our customers in Myanmar’s construction sector and support them optimally with their projects." Mike Campion, Regional Manager Asia/Pacific
Sika – A Tried-And-Tested Partner in Myanmar
Sika’s products and services have been trusted by Myanmar’s construction industry for years. High-quality specialty chemical products such as concrete admixtures, for example, are needed for complex large-scale infrastructure projects of nationwide significance. These include the modernization of the 620 km Yangon–Mandalay railway line, as well as the construction of a 1.9 km bridge over the Bago River, designed to significantly ease traffic congestion between Yangon city and Thilawa, Myanmar’s biggest port.
Infrastructure Expansion Driving Growth in the Construction Sector
Myanmar's construction industry is stabilizing following a COVID-related decline and is expected to grow over 7% per year between 2023 and 2026. Key drivers of this growth include the expansion of transportation infrastructure, new industrial centers, and ambitious construction plans for apartments and public buildings. Furthermore, living standards are rising – the remaining 40% of the country’s 55 million people with no access to grid electricity are expected to connect to the national grid by 2030, and the country will also greatly expand its drinking water supply network.