aug 4 reuters  swiss chemicals company sika sikas raised its outlook for 2023 sales which saw a 18 increase in the firsthalf of the year to 535 billion swiss francs 612 billion it said on friday in may sika completed the purchase of mbcc a former construction chemical business of basf basfnde  its firsthalf results include two months of sales and earnings from mbcc which has been consolidated into its figures since may 1 sika said it expects to increase sales by over 15 in 2023 when measured in local currencies including mbcc the company had earlier expected to reach annual sales of 12 billion francs this year as a result of the acquisition we are currently expecting the market environment to improve in the second half of the year growth potential remains apparent despite a subdued global economy chief executive thomas hasler said the company said it had costs of 895 million francs in the firsthalf of the year relating to the acquisition and integration of mbcc sika is anticipating the costs relating to the mbcc takeover to amount to approximately 200 million francs of which 1678 million francs have already been booked however the company whose products are used to waterproof and strengthen roofs flooring and also as adhesives in the automotive industry reported a 216 decrease in operating profit for the period at 6604 million francs sika is seen as a signifier for the health of the broader construction industry so far in 2023 it has opened a new factory in india and acquired a maker of shotcrete and other products for the mining industry in the united states and bought a manufacturer of micro fibers 1  08739 swiss francs