IIT Madras and Saint Gobain team up to build new research labs for green construction

Saint-Gobain India and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras are joining forces to build two new research laboratories in Chennai. The partnership focuses on sustainable building materials and digital tools for the construction sector.

Lab Details

The project receives a grant of 3.8 crore rupees spread over three years. This funding establishes the Digital Real-Time Sensing Technologies for Infrastructure laboratory, known as DRSTI, and the Concrete Admixture Research for Engineering Next-gen Construction laboratory, known as CAREN. Both labs operate under the Centre of Excellence on Technologies for Low-carbon and Lean Construction at IIT-Madras.

Focus Areas

The research centers aim to solve major problems in the building industry, such as low productivity, material waste, short structural life, and the lack of digital tools. The CAREN lab studies how chemical additives mix with alternative cement materials, including factory waste and items that can partly replace standard Portland cement. Meanwhile, the DRSTI lab works on smart ways to track building progress, check quality, boost output, and test how structures perform over time.

Context

Partnerships between top engineering schools and private companies help turn academic research into practical tools for Indian industries. Sustainable construction methods are becoming more important as cities look for ways to lower their carbon footprint and reduce waste.