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The collaborative approach favored by Lafarge R&D is exemplified by its partnerships with the world's largest research centers, graduate schools, institutions and international universities. The Group is thus able to share its experience and knowledge while gaining new perspectives, particularly with regard to sustainable construction.

International workshop of R&D

Participants

Besides scientists of the Lafarge research center, experts from around the world will attend:

Véronique Baroghel-Bouny (LCPC, France),
Sriman Kumar Bhattacharyya (CBRI, Roorkee University, India),
Bernadette Charleux (ENSCPE, France),
Eduardo Fairbairn (UFRJ, Brazil),
Ravindra Gettu (Indian Institute of Technology de Madras, India),
Tetsuya Ishida (Tokyo University, Japan),
Li Kefei (Tsinghua University, China).
François de Larrard (LCPC, France),
Pierre Levitz (Polytechnique, France),
Paulo Monteiro (Berkeley, USA),
Roland Pellenq (CNRS, France, and MIT, USA),
Venkatarama Reddy (Indian Institute of Science, India),
George Scherer (Princeton, USA),
Karen Scrivener (Polytechnique, Switzerland),
Caijun Shi (Hunan University, China),
Sui Tongbo (China Building Materials Academy, China),
Franz J. Ulm (MIT, USA),
Henri Van Damme (LCPC, France),
Matthieu Vandamme (ENPC, France).

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On 22 and 23 July 2010, the Group's research centre brought together around 30 internationally renowned scientists, all specialists in materials science.

On the agenda: sharing the latest scientific advances in the field of the physical mechanisms of materials, the properties of concrete, 3D imaging, nanometric scale analysis and sustainable construction, etc.

The aims of the meeting is together to explore the scientific breakthroughs that will revolutionise construction materials science by 2020 and to conceptualise new, more sustainable, resistant, aesthetic, isolating materials which emit less CO2.

The presence of scientists from emerging markets will also introduce a fresh perspective on problematic issues such as affordable housing.

A Research Chair in construction materials

In 2006, the Group's Research center, the Ecole des Ponts and the Ecole Polytechnique (2 prestigious French engineering schools) joined forces to create the Research Chair in the Science of Sustainable Construction Materials.

The Chair offers a unique teaching and research program which combines scientific endeavor and industrial experience in the fields of physics, mechanics and chemistry. The program is aimed at students, engineers and researchers.

The aim is to:

create a world center of excellence in the science of construction materials,
accelerate the move towards sustainable construction which respects the environment, human beings and the planet.

Viewpoint

The Ecole des Ponts: "Over the last 10 years, we have observed the development of a veritable engineering science in cement materials which is based on expertise in a wide range of different disciplines. We established this research chair to demonstrate that these complex materials can be approached in an interdisciplinary manner. Lafarge brings a new, more pragmatic perspective and its worldwide scope is essential for recruiting high-level international students."

International partnerships

Lafarge and MIT

Franz-Josef Ulm, Professor of Civil Engineering and Environment at MIT, United States.

"Within the framework of a partnership with Lafarge, I study the mechanical characteristics of cement at the nano-scale*, that is, at an infinitely small scale. This is a very interesting scientific approach that reveals properties which were unknown before now.

Our work will result in the design of extremely high-performance materials and will allow us to increase their lifespan.

In my opinion, Lafarge is the only player in the building industry which has mastered this nanometric approach to materials."

* Nano-scale : (10^-9)

Lafarge works in close collaboration with the most respected institutes and universities in the world:

in the United States: MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Georgia Tech, the University of California at Berkeley and Princeton,
in Canada: the universities of Toronto and Sherbrooke and Laval University in Quebec,
in China: the Building Materials Academy in Beijing, the Tongji university in Shanghai,
in India: the Institute of Technology in Roorkee,
in Europe: Imperial College in London and the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne,
in France: the Ecole Polytechnique, the Ecole des Ponts, Paris VI, the Ecole d’Architecture de Paris Belleville and a number of CNRS laboratories.

Internships, university exchange programs, seminars and visits are organized within the framework of these partnerships.

A publication policy for international reviews has also been implemented.

The European Nanocem network, created in 2004 on the initiative of Lafarge, has a membership of around 30 industrialists and academics. Its mission:

to develop knowledge of the microstructure of materials and achieve genuine technological breakthroughs over the long-term,
to contribute to university education and prepare the next generation of cement industry researchers.

Know more about our partners

Low-energy housing

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Combining 20 sustainable construction rules with innovative solutions produced by Lafarge's R&D, low-energy housing is explained in this flash animation. From the foundations and the exterior to the insulation and the interior - see how a low-energy house is created!

Visit the low-energy housing

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