Saint Gobain - Registration document 2016

3 STRATEGIC DRIVERS FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH 3. Sustainable differentiation through innovation and R&D

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 CO 2 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

3.1.2

to the Activities An innovation culture rolled out

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 and component design to precision manufacturing, affording Materials business model is central to this success: an integrated development strategy, from materials composition Opportunities are also being taken to combine expertise from several activities through increased cooperation, as in the for the biopharmaceuticals industry. In these markets, where Saint-Gobain is a world leader, the High-Performance automotive industry, as well as single-use plastics solutions case of the unique line of functional coating films for construction and industry, which leverage the technical synergies between Flat Glass and High-Performance Materials. In 2016, the Construction Products Sector continued its development of projects for wellbeing in buildings by covering a number of areas (acoustic insulation, air quality, based on local market needs, underpinned by a global organization. visual appeal, environmental sustainability, and recycling). The organization is driving innovation with an approach

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 reduces its market exposure to commodity glass. Sekurit’s differentiation strategy is aimed at making it a preferred partner of automobile manufacturers, with the development of a number of highly innovative solutions. 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 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 Materials. Codevelopments in diversified industrial niche markets are The Group is also accelerating its growth through is a priority for the Group. furnaces, bearings and customized tolerance rings for the 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

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SAINT-GOBAIN - REGISTRATION DOCUMENT 2016

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