If you were buying BASF construction chemicals in India and wondering where the brand went, here is the short version: BASF sold its entire construction chemicals division in 2019. It became MBCC Group. Then Sika AG (Switzerland) acquired MBCC in May 2023 for 5.3 billion euros. Most former BASF construction chemical products are now under the Sika brand. The admixtures business was divested separately and operates as Master Builders Solutions under new ownership. This article explains the full timeline, what changed, and what it means for procurement.
The Full Timeline: From BASF to Sika
1865-2019: BASF's Construction Chemicals Era
BASF (Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik) was founded in 1865 in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Over more than a century, it grew into the world's largest chemical company by revenue. Its construction chemicals division supplied concrete admixtures, repair mortars, flooring systems, waterproofing membranes, sealants, and performance grouts under brands including MasterSeal, MasterTop, MasterProtect, MasterEmaco, and MasterGlenium.
By the late 2010s, BASF's strategic review concluded that construction chemicals, while profitable, did not align with the company's long-term focus on high-margin specialty chemicals and agricultural solutions. BASF decided to divest the entire division.
September 2020: Lone Star Acquires, MBCC Group Is Born
In September 2020, BASF completed the sale of its construction chemicals business to Lone Star Funds, a US-based private equity firm, for approximately 3.17 billion euros. The new standalone company was named MBCC Group (Master Builders Construction Chemicals). It retained all the former BASF construction chemicals product lines, factories, R&D centres, and technical staff. For customers, the products remained the same. Only the corporate ownership changed.
May 2023: Sika Acquires MBCC Group
On 2 May 2023, Sika AG completed the acquisition of MBCC Group from Lone Star for approximately 5.3 billion euros. This was Sika's largest acquisition in its 113-year history. The deal added roughly 7,500 employees, 60 production sites, and significant market share in concrete admixtures, mortars, and waterproofing across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Sika's stated rationale was straightforward: the combined company would have a broader product portfolio, deeper distribution, and larger R&D capacity. Sika projected annual cost synergies of CHF 160 to 180 million by 2025, eventually rising to CHF 180 to 200 million.
The EU Condition: Admixtures Divested to Cinven
European competition authorities approved the acquisition on the condition that Sika divest MBCC's concrete admixtures business in certain markets to avoid excessive market concentration. Sika sold that portion to Cinven, a European private equity firm. The divested business now operates independently as Master Builders Solutions (MBS), headed by CEO Dr. Boris Gorella, with its own R&D and production facilities.
In India, Master Builders Solutions introduced the brand "MBT Construction Chemicals" in 2024 for the admixtures segment. This is the successor to the former BASF MasterGlenium, MasterRheobuild, and related concrete admixture lines.
What Sika Kept
Sika retained the bulk of MBCC's portfolio outside of the divested admixtures segment, including waterproofing membranes, repair mortars, industrial flooring, sealants, and performance grouts. These products are being integrated into Sika's existing product lines and sold under the Sika brand. In India, Sika's combined business now has significantly expanded manufacturing capacity, a larger technical team, and a wider distributor network.
What This Means for Indian Buyers
If you were buying BASF waterproofing or repair products
Products like MasterSeal (waterproofing), MasterEmaco (repair mortars), MasterTop (flooring), and MasterProtect (coatings) are now part of the Sika portfolio. In most cases, the formulations have not changed. The brand name on the label is transitioning to Sika. Your local Sika distributor or authorised dealer can supply these products. Technical datasheets remain available through Sika India's support channels.
If you were buying BASF concrete admixtures
The MasterGlenium, MasterRheobuild, and MasterPozzolith lines are now under Master Builders Solutions (Cinven), operating in India as MBT Construction Chemicals. These are not sold by Sika. Contact Master Builders Solutions India directly for admixture procurement.
If you were buying from MC-Bauchemie
MC-Bauchemie is a completely separate, independent, family-owned German company (founded 1961, headquartered in Bottrop). It was never part of BASF, never part of MBCC Group, and is not part of Sika. The name similarity ("MC" and "Master Builders") sometimes causes confusion, but MC-Bauchemie has its own product lines (Dichtament, Nafufill, MC-Special), its own R&D, and its own distribution. MC-Bauchemie India Pvt Ltd operates independently from Navi Mumbai.
Brand Mapping: Old Name to New Name
| What You Used to Buy | Old Brand | Now Under | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing membranes | MasterSeal (BASF) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Repair mortars | MasterEmaco (BASF) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Industrial flooring | MasterTop (BASF) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Protective coatings | MasterProtect (BASF) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Performance grouts | MasterFlow (BASF) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Sealants | MasterSeal (sealant range) | Sika | Sika authorised distributors |
| Concrete admixtures | MasterGlenium / MasterRheobuild | Master Builders Solutions (Cinven) | MBT Construction Chemicals India |
| Crystalline waterproofing | Dichtament (MC-Bauchemie) | MC-Bauchemie (unchanged) | MC-Bauchemie India / Technotrade |
About Sika AG
Sika was founded in 1910 by Kaspar Winkler in Zurich, Switzerland. The company's first product, Sika-1, was a waterproofing admixture for mortar. Its first major project was waterproofing 67 tunnels along the Gotthard railway line in Switzerland (1918). Today, Sika operates in 103 countries with 400+ production facilities and over 33,700 employees.
Major recent infrastructure projects using Sika systems include the Gotthard Base Tunnel (Switzerland, 57 km, world's longest railway tunnel), the Samruddhi Expressway tunnel in Maharashtra (7.8 km twin-tube, passive fire protection and reflective coatings), and the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (concrete admixtures, tunnel waterproofing, bearing pedestal grout, designed for 100-year service life).
With the MBCC integration, Sika's India operations have approximately doubled in capacity, giving Indian buyers access to a significantly wider product range and larger technical support team than either legacy company offered alone.
Sika Products Available at Technotrade
| Product | Application | Pack / Price (incl. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| SikaTop 107 Seal Plus IN | Flexible cementitious waterproofing for terraces, wet areas | 7 Kg / 2,200 | 25 Kg / 6,800 |
| Sikalastic 510 Cool Coat IN | Reflective waterproof coating + heat reduction | 6,000 |
| MC-Special DM | Crystalline waterproofing mortar (MC-Bauchemie, independent) | 20 Kg / 5,205 |
| Dichtament DM | Integral admixture + plasticizer (MC-Bauchemie) | 30 Kg / 2,436 |
All prices include GST. For Sika and MC-Bauchemie product enquiries, project quantities, or technical datasheets, WhatsApp your requirements to Divya at +91 92568 16832 or use the Construction Calculator for coverage estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are BASF construction chemicals still available in India?
Not under the BASF brand. BASF sold its entire construction chemicals division in 2019. The products were acquired by Sika AG in 2023 (waterproofing, repair, flooring, coatings) and Master Builders Solutions/Cinven (concrete admixtures). The formulations have largely continued, but the brand names are transitioning to Sika and MBT Construction Chemicals respectively.
Is MC-Bauchemie part of Sika or BASF?
No. MC-Bauchemie is an independent, family-owned German company founded in 1961. It was never part of BASF, never part of MBCC Group, and is not part of Sika. MC-Bauchemie India Pvt Ltd operates independently from Navi Mumbai with its own product lines including Dichtament (waterproofing) and Nafufill (repair).
What happened to MasterSeal waterproofing products in India?
MasterSeal waterproofing products are now part of Sika's portfolio following the MBCC acquisition. They are available through Sika's authorised distribution network. The formulations have generally been retained. For specific product availability and replacements, contact your local Sika representative or an authorised multi-brand distributor like Technotrade Associates.
Where can I buy Sika waterproofing chemicals online in India?
Technotrade Associates (store.technotrade.in) is an authorised Sika distributor. Products ship with GST invoice, technical datasheet, and batch traceability. For project quantities, WhatsApp your BOQ to +91 92568 16832.
Did the MBCC acquisition change product formulations?
Sika has stated that product quality and formulations are being maintained during the integration. In practice, most products that Indian buyers were purchasing under the BASF/MBCC brand names continue to be manufactured at the same facilities using the same raw materials. Label branding is transitioning to Sika. Technical datasheets are updated but specifications remain consistent. If you notice any change in a specific product, contact Sika India's technical team for clarification.
