Research & development driving the innovation

Inventing innovative and high-performance products and solutions to improve construction and everyday life is integral to the Group’s strategy. It is a major responsibility and source of motivation for the Saint-Gobain research and development teams.

These teams operate on the basis of individually managed projects. This method of operation allows it to conduct research and development activities with the greatest possible efficiency, assigning the appropriate resources and looking a long way upstream at considerations relating to markets, industrial property, production, respect for health and the environment. This organizational structure also means that Saint-Gobain can ensure a continuous flow of innovations, for market launch at the appropriate time.

Research that anticipates future challenges 

The main task of R&D is to provide active and proactive support for the Group’s numerous Activities through targeted research projects, yielding developments and innovations involving both processes and products or systems, thus strengthening the competitiveness of its Activities and serving Saint-Gobain’s current markets. New projects are initiated each year in every area, while others reach the point of production release or commercial launch.
Its second task is to prepare the Group’s future through strategic, cross-functional R&D programs, by anticipating major changes in techniques and markets. These programs,linked to the focus areas for the marketing teams, allow Saint-Gobain to organize skills common to the Group’s various Activities and to improve its ability to develop key technologies.

Our strategic and transversal programs 

Improvement of our CO2 footprint

Material Science and Processes

  • Physics and chemistry of mineral binders
  • Organic and inorganic foams
  • Adhesives and adhesion
  • Wet coatings
  • Innovative glass and furnaces
  • Non Destructive Evaluation - for control of processes and product quality

Building Science

  • Acoustics
  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy performance, thermal and visual comfort

Digital Transformation

  • Additive manufacturing and 3D printing
  • Robotics and automation
  • Sensors and Connectivity Technologies - for enhanced products and services 

R&D also contributes to improving industrial manufacturing processes, with regard to competitiveness, capability and environmental performance.