Sika (CH-8048 Zürich; www.sika.com) and Sarna Polymer Holding (CH-6060 Sarnen; www.sarna.com) have agreed to merge their roofing membranes businesses. Sika, a supplier of specialty chemicals to the construction industry, has made a cash tender offer of CHF 175 per share for all privately owned Sarna shares. The new grouping expects to become world market leader in system solutions for waterproofing roofs. In addition, Sika said it “fully supports” the ongoing sale of the Sarna Automotive division.

The declared aim of the new Sarna stakeholder is to continue the membranes activities as an autonomous business unit within the Sika group. The so-called “Swiss industrial solution” is designed to allow Sarnafil to retain its own culture and identity. The merger also should help to “secure” jobs at Sarnafil in Sarnen, that company´s management said.

Under the merger plan, purchasing, production, logistics – including Sika´s production sites in Düdingen (Switzerland) and Troisdorf (Germany) – as well as marketing units of the combined membrane business will report to Sarnafil´s management team. Sarna´s production sites in Switzerland, the US and China will be retained.