Saint-Gobain India, IIT Madras Set Up Two Research Labs for Sustainable Construction
Chennai, November 2, 2026: Saint-Gobain India has partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) to establish two research laboratories focused on sustainable construction materials and technologies for the built environment. The three-year collaboration is supported by a grant of ₹3.8 crore.
The initiative aims to strengthen research capabilities at IIT Madras and develop practical solutions to address challenges facing India's construction sector. It will focus on technologies that can support smarter infrastructure, improve material efficiency and advance the use of lower-carbon building materials.
The two laboratories—Digital Real-Time Sensing Technologies for Infrastructure (DṚṢṬI) and Concrete Admixture Research for Engineering Next-gen Construction (CAREN)—will be established at the Centre of Excellence on Technologies for Low-carbon and Lean Construction (TLC2).
The labs will focus on areas including construction productivity, material efficiency, structural durability, sustainability and digital transformation. The collaboration is also expected to support research into construction solutions suited to India's hot and humid climate.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sreedhar N., CEO – Asia Pacific and India Region, Saint-Gobain, said, “Our association with IIT Madras goes back many years, and this collaboration takes it further. By bringing together academic research and industrial expertise, we can turn scientific discoveries into practical construction solutions built for India’s hot and humid climate. Together, we are strengthening the research capabilities for low-carbon materials, smart infrastructure and innovations for the built environment. This is a step forward in our commitment to accelerating the adoption of light and sustainable construction in India.”
Prof. V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “At IIT Madras, we believe that the future of India’s infrastructure must be built on the foundations of sustainability, innovation and indigenous technology. The establishment of these two advanced laboratories, with generous support from Saint-Gobain India, will strengthen our capabilities in developing next-generation construction materials and intelligent infrastructure technologies. We thank Saint-Gobain India for partnering with us to translate cutting-edge research into practical solutions that can benefit the industry and the nation.”
Through the partnership, Saint-Gobain India and IIT Madras aim to connect academic research with industry expertise to develop technologies and materials that can contribute to more efficient and sustainable construction practices in India.
