All Group regions contributed to the 18.1% growth in sales. The currency effect had a negative impact of 7.5%. Adjusted to Swiss francs, sales were 10.6% higher.

Sales in the region EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) saw a 21.7% increase in the first half of the year. Brighter prospects for the construction sector, significant growth in Germany and the Middle East and the moderate recovery witnessed by the Southern European countries impacted positively on the region's performance. The acquisitions made in 2013, product launches and the mild winter were other contributory factors behind the strong rise in sales.

North America generated a 6.5% increase in sales. Projects delayed at the beginning of the year due to the harsh winter are now under construction and investments are being made in infrastructure projects and commercial buildings.

The region Asia/Pacific grew by 18.1%, building on the strong growth seen over recent years. Notably China, Japan, Indonesia and Australia are showing double-digit growth. Growth is based on gains made in market share by moving into new markets, on the launch of new products and on the newly opened plants.

At 16.8%, sales growth remained consistently high in Latin America. In a challenging business environment, Sika succeeded in achieving double-digit growth in most countries and increasing market share further. Substantial devaluations of a number of local currencies led to high exchange rate losses.

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