French glass major, Saint Gobain has launched its seventh cross-functional R&D centre and development centre Saint Gobain Research India (SGRI) at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai. The SGRI will support existing business in India, develop new business and will collaborate with local universities and external partners to produce solutions for sustainable habitat. The company would offer abrasives, ceramics, plastics, reinforcements and applications technology along with research for habitat solutions for warm or hot climates.

Saint-Gobain and IIT-M Research Park have agreed to develop the next phase of the research park with Saint-Gobain as an 'Anchor Client'. For which, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)was signed today by Saint-Gobain and IITM Research Park (IITM RP). The company will begin operations of the R&D centre from a temporary premises on the outskirts of Chennai and soon move into the park once works are completed in 2015.

"IITM Research Park considers Saint-Gobain coming in as an Anchor Client as a major milestone. Saint Gobain plans to harness the deep expertise available in the Institute in materials science, building technology, and renewable energy. This collaboration will lead to affordable and sustainable solutions to the challenges of energy and environment that India faces today" said Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director of IIT Madras.

"India is a critical emerging market for Saint Gobain and the launch of the R&D center will enable development of new products, processes and solutions for the region. SGRI is uniquely positioned to develop customized solutions for hot and humid climates toward meeting the ambition of Saint-Gobain group to be THE reference company in sustainable habitat for the region. SGRI is modeled to provide unique opportunity to our researchers given its close proximity to IIT Madras, a world class academic institution. While SGRI will focus on leveraging local talent for regional solutions, it will also act as a key linkage for collaboration with internal and external R&D communities around the world" said Dr. Didier Roux, Chief Technology Officer, Saint-Gobain Group on this occasion.