Saint Gobain - Registration document 2016

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3 STRATEGIC DRIVERS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
3. Sustainable differentiation through innovation and R&D
60 SAINT-GOBAIN - REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2016
STRATEGIC AND CROSS DISCIPLINARY R&D PROGRAMS
MATERIALS AND PROCESSES
Physics and Chemistry
of inorganic binder-based
materials
Green chemistry
Recycling of construction
materials
Organic and inorganic foams
Innovative glass and furnaces
Additive manufacturing
and 3D printing
Improving our CO2 footprint
BUILDING SCIENCE
Acoustics
Indoor air quality
Energy performance, thermal
and visual comfort
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Connected objects and
smart data for our products
and services
to the Activities
An innovation culture rolled out 3.1.2
Activities, the Group gives preference to targeted
partnerships by implementing joint development projects and
This innovation culture has been rolled out to all the Group’s
Sectors. As part of its downstream growth in Flat Glass
partner of automobile manufacturers, with the development
of a number of highly innovative solutions.
reduces its market exposure to commodity glass. Sekurit’s
differentiation strategy is aimed at making it a preferred
appealing, environmentally friendly and tailored on the basis
of market segmentation efforts, including in terms of services,
and curtain walls in construction, reducing the need for air
conditioning and lighting. Providing products that are visually
is a priority for the Group.
technologies, applying the latest techniques, such as the use
of electrochromic glass in automobile flat glass and skylights
In its glass businesses, Saint-Gobain is developing innovative
3,700 people, including numerous specialist engineers, who
work directly with customers.
tailored solutions to cater for specific customer needs. In this,
the Sector is supported by its integrated network of
for the biopharmaceuticals industry. In these markets, where
Saint-Gobain is a world leader, the High-Performance
furnaces, bearings and customized tolerance rings for the
automotive industry, as well as single-use plastics solutions
and component design to precision manufacturing, affording
Materials business model is central to this success: an
integrated development strategy, from materials composition
specialized niches include, for example, catalyst substrates
for the petrochemicals industry, refractory products for glass
yielding superior and long-term profitability. These highly
differentiation in High-Performance Materials.
Codevelopments in diversified industrial niche markets are
The Group is also accelerating its growth through
case of the unique line of functional coating films for
construction and industry, which leverage the technical
Opportunities are also being taken to combine expertise from
several activities through increased cooperation, as in the
synergies between Flat Glass and High-Performance
Materials.
based on local market needs, underpinned by a global
organization.
In 2016, the Construction Products Sector continued its
visual appeal, environmental sustainability, and recycling).
The organization is driving innovation with an approach
development of projects for wellbeing in buildings by
covering a number of areas (acoustic insulation, air quality,