Sika is stepping up its digital push in the global tunneling and mining sectors through a strategic partnership with Australian Internet of Things (IoT) developer IndustryOS, bringing real-time underground monitoring technologies to customers worldwide.
Under the agreement, Sika will become the global channel partner for IndustryOS’s Safecrete and Safewall product lines. The sensor-based solutions monitor the strength development of sprayed concrete and mining paste barricades in real time, helping operators make faster, data-driven decisions while improving underground safety, quality and productivity.
The partnership marks another step in Sika’s digital transformation strategy under its Fast Forward program, which aims to accelerate digitalization across the value chain, strengthen customer benefits and improve operational efficiency.
The deal comes as Sika targets long-term growth opportunities in tunneling and mining, two sectors facing rising infrastructure and resource demands.
With more than 100 years of experience in concrete admixtures and sprayed concrete solutions, Sika has established a strong position in some of the world's largest and most technically demanding underground construction projects.
The growth potential is substantial. According to GlobalData, the global tunnel construction project pipeline stands at USD 1.25 trillion. Accelerating urbanization and investment in metro networks, high-speed rail and transport infrastructure are expected to sustain demand for tunneling solutions.
Mining is also emerging as a major growth driver. Demand for critical raw materials is rising rapidly amid the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), digital infrastructure, the global energy transition and electrification—all of which are fuelling investment in mining operations.
Through the partnership, Sika will bring two IndustryOS technologies to tunneling and mining customers worldwide, targeting a critical operational challenge: knowing when underground structures have developed sufficient strength to safely proceed with the next stage of work.
Safecrete Qube uses embedded sensors to track the curing process and strength development of sprayed concrete, also known as shotcrete, in real time. The technology enables underground teams to make re-entry decisions based on actual measured performance rather than relying on fixed waiting periods.
Safewall addresses a similar challenge in mining operations, where paste barricades must withstand the pressure of backfill material. The digital monitoring system tracks strength development and identifies when barricades have reached the required load-bearing capacity, allowing filling operations to resume based on verified performance rather than predetermined timeframes.
Together, the technologies promise to improve safety, strengthen quality control and accelerate underground construction and mining cycles. Combined with Sika’s expertise in concrete, admixtures and sprayed concrete, the solutions are designed to deliver greater efficiency across critical underground operations.
“Digitalization is reshaping the construction industry, and Sika is strengthening its digital leadership by expanding its offering across the entire concrete value chain,” states Philipp Irniger, Head Construction Sika. “Building on our recent partnership with Giatec, which covers digital solutions for concrete production and delivery, IndustryOS extends our digital capabilities into underground construction and mining.”
Cameron Baker, CEO of IndustryOS, adds: “Sika is our preferred partner to market our technology. The company’s focus on innovation, materials expertise, and global reach provides an ideal platform to bring our digital solutions to tunneling and mining customers worldwide and accelerate the adoption of real-time underground monitoring.”
