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3
3
STRATEGIC DRIVERS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH
3. Sustainable differentiation through innovation and R&D
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SAINT-GOBAIN
- REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2016
ECO-INNOVATION TO DELIVER ON OUR STRATEGY: PRODUCTS
3.2
THAT ANTICIPATE MARKET TRENDS
with improved environmental and social impact.
As part of its sustainable construction strategy, Saint-Gobain
is developing and distributing innovative, profitable solutions
To achieve this, the Group’s Activities may draw on the
Eco-Innovation approach and associated toolbox.
methodology for innovation:
There are two parts to this pragmatic yet structured
Tools for understanding market needs and customer
expectations in terms of social and environmental impacts;
practice or an in-depth analysis of the impacts of the
existing solution.
Tools for seeking solutions based on existing good
sustainable solutions or improvements to existing solutions:
Priority lines of action have been defined for eco-innovation
in line with Group policies and market expectations, for new
Health and wellbeing: ergonomics, comfort and safety;
Energy & climate: carbon footprint and energy efficiency;
Water: water consumption and water discharge;
Circular economy: consumption of raw materials and
waste management.
every stage of the product life cycle, from extraction of the
raw materials to end of life.
These challenges are considered as a matter of course at
Training courses are provided to cascade the eco-Innovation
new research managers and R&D project managers. It was
also covered by a specific one-day training session aimed
process and the related principles throughout the Group.
Eco-innovation now forms part of the training delivered to
mainly at the marketing and R&D teams and attended by
more than 600 people since it was launched.
A MORE CROSS-FUNCTIONAL APPROACH TO INNOVATION
3.3
transformation taking place in the construction markets place
the Group in an outward-looking position of attentiveness to
Saint-Gobain’s development strategy and the gradual
partnership and co-development.
its customers’ needs. To respond to current needs and
anticipate future needs, Saint-Gobain is very open a culture of
partners
Innovating through interaction for
3.3.1
and with the Group’s customers and
a) Attentiveness to customer needs
First and foremost, innovation at Saint-Gobain involves
customer analysis. Such attentiveness is crucial for:
understanding their needs and the challenges they face, so
as to develop appropriate solutions with them and for
them;
remain competitive, etc.
improvements are needed to provide better service,
evaluating their level of satisfaction, and the areas where
separate.
These two approaches are complementary, of course, but are
To successfully tap into what customers want, over the last
swiftly by the production of prototypes. In 2016, this
approach was adopted throughout all activities where
few years the Plastics Activity has developed a methodology
known as blue printing, which involves interviews, followed
co-development is central to the process of innovation.
ad hoc interviews, where they are away from their usual
environment). It was adopted by British Gypsum in the United
appreciation of customers’ needs by observing them in their
day-to-day environment (which is often more informative than
Kingdom in 2014, then increasingly throughout the Group.
The measure was supplemented by increasingly systematic
use of design thinking, an approach that consists of gaining an
b) Partnerships between R&D and marketing
“Multi-Comfort” program.
and to further develop research and innovation, several of the
Group’s Activities in a number of countries have joined the
comfort. To provide proof of the effectiveness of its solutions
Saint-Gobain
equips
buildings
with
differentiated,
high-value-added solutions, particularly in the area of
construction and renovation operations in collaboration with
players in the construction industry. These test work sites,
In this context, the Group’s Activities have launched housing
using Saint-Gobain solutions, allow for real-time, long-term
monitoring in situ of energy efficiency and comfort levels.
construction methods and occupant comfort.
Saint-Gobain products installed, and to develop new,
increasingly effective solutions, appropriate for local
R&D and marketing teams in better understanding building
performance as a reflection of occupant behavior and the
The Multi-Comfort work sites in various countries assist the
innovative approach to industrial design, focused on
identifying end-user needs.
market, such as the Gypsum Activity’s Habito plasterboard,
which has a tremendous capacity to support heavy loads.
As a result, new technical solutions have been placed on the
Habito combines strength and durability while offering
improved acoustic performance. It is the result of an
Saint-Gobain in some of its industrial markets.
spaces – offices, homes, apartments, concert halls or
classrooms – is also evident in the solutions developed by
This attention to comfort and users’ needs in their living