A strategy built around innovations and research
Innovations and research are critical factors in Saint-Gobain’s sustainable habitat and construction strategy, as well as a key component in the Group's competitive edge. By leveraging ambitious programs and cross-functional measures that generate synergy among the different businesses, innovation and research also help drive short, medium and long-term growth.
Although the greater part of research and development work is focused on improving manufacturing processes and developing new ranges of products on Saint-Gobain's traditional markets, the Group is also keen to break into new markets with its innovations.
To achieve this goal, Saint-Gobain has been consistently increasing its R&D budgets for several years, streamlining its organization and signed partnership agreements with internationally recognized organizations and universities.
Key figures
- 2010 R&D budget: €402 million.
- Four broad-based R&D centres in Europe, North America and Asia.
- Twelve research centres and around 100 development units worldwide.
- 3,500 researchers (37 different nationalities) in all fields: physics, mechanics, materials, chemistry, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, mathematics.
- A portfolio of more than 700 projects.
- 361 patents applied for in 2010.
- More than one product out of five sold by the manufacturing sectors did not exist five years ago.
