Hilti has established itself as a systems provider for fastening and assembly technology that offers holistic solutions for connecting building components beyond traditional hammer drills. The focus is on chemical and mechanical fastening systems that are particularly used for assembly in reinforced concrete, concrete and masonry. For planners and executing companies, not only load-bearing capacity values are relevant, but also approvals according to building regulations as well as integration into BIM workflows.
Chemical fastening systems: HIT-HY 200 and RE 500
The chemical anchor product line includes injection mortars based on epoxy resins and hybrid polymers. The HIT-HY 200 system is designed for high-performance applications in reinforced concrete and has a European Technical Assessment (ETA) for heavy-load anchoring. The processing temperature ranges from –10 °C to +40 °C, enabling use even under winter construction conditions. The mortar volume is 330 ml or 500 ml per cartridge, with curing time varying between 6 and 48 hours depending on temperature.
The RE 500 system is aimed at standard applications in cracked and uncracked concrete of strength classes C20/25 to C50/60. With a pot life of 4 minutes at 20 °C, the product allows for quick cycle times on site. Both systems are part of the Hilti PROFIS Engineering Suite, which digitally generates design proofs according to Eurocode 2.
Fire protection systems for cable and pipe penetrations
Hilti offers tested fire protection systems for installation penetrations in solid decks, drywall and light-weight walls. The systems are classified according to EN 13501-2 and achieve fire resistance classes from EI 30 to EI 120. For cable penetrations, elastic fire protection sleeves (CFS-C) and fire protection barriers (CFS-S) are used, which work with intumescent material.
The sleeves expand in the event of fire and seal the opening after the cable has burned through. For plastic pipes, special fire protection clamps are available that compress the melting material. All systems are backed by test certificates from MPA Dresden or similar testing facilities and are digitally available in the Hilti Firestop documentation.
Mechanical heavy-load anchors for seismic requirements
In the mechanical fastening segment, Hilti positions the HSL-3 heavy-load anchor for applications with high dynamic loads or seismic requirements according to Eurocode 8. The anchor works on the undercut principle and achieves load-bearing capacities of up to 180 kN in concrete C20/25. The anchoring depth is 125 mm with a nominal diameter of M16, and the permissible edge distances are 150 mm.
The HSL-3 is approved for anchoring in cracked concrete and meets the requirements of Option 1 according to ETAG 001, Annex C. Typical applications are console fasteners for facade substructures, elevator rails and heavy installations in industrial buildings. Assembly is performed with a controlled torque wrench at 150 Nm.
Digitalization: PROFIS Engineering and BIM integration
Hilti has bundled its planning tools in the PROFIS platform. PROFIS Anchor enables static design of fasteners according to EN 1992-4 (Eurocode 2) and generates project-specific proofs including load distribution and edge distances. The software is freely available and allows export as PDF or in BIM formats (IFC, Revit).
For fire protection, PROFIS Firestop is available, which suggests tested system solutions for defined building component designs and directly links the required test certificates. Integration into BIM processes is via Revit plugins that provide Hilti products as parameterized objects with technical data sheets and EPD information. This facilitates tendering and documentation for sustainability certifications such as DGNB or LEED.
Market position and competition
Hilti competes in the fastening segment with manufacturers such as Fischer, Würth and Sika. While Fischer is traditionally strongly represented in trade, Hilti relies on a direct sales model with its own technical consultants and rental fleets. Pricing is positioned in the upper segment but is flanked by comprehensive service and training offerings.
In the field of chemical fasteners, Sika (www.sika.com) has comparable systems in its portfolio with the AnchorFix series, which are also ETA-certified. Hilti differentiates itself through integration into digital planning tools and the availability of on-site technical consultation. Market shares are not public, but industry sources indicate a leading position in DACH and Northern Europe.
Current developments and product announcements
In 2024, Hilti introduced the HIT-Z system for applications in thin-walled precast concrete elements, specifically designed for anchoring depths from 80 mm. In parallel, the PROFIS platform was expanded with a module for wood fasteners that supports design of wood-concrete connections according to Eurocode 5. This addresses the growing market of multi-story timber high-rise construction and hybrid building methods.
In terms of sustainability, Hilti is working on reducing solvents in chemical anchor systems and has published EPD declarations in accordance with EN 15804 for selected product lines. A concrete CO₂ roadmap for the overall portfolio has not yet been published.
