Investor Presentaiton
BEING AT THE FOREFRONT OF
THE TRANSFORMATION OF
CONSTRUCTION
ENABLING LIGHTER, FASTER,
-
MORE RESPONSIBLE CONSTRUCTION
Unlike a traditional construction whose massive
walls (bricks, cement, etc.) bear the weight of
the building, light construction consists of building
a structure - in wood, metal, concrete or a
combination of these materials on which light
façade systems and interior partitions, which
are not load-bearing, are added. This type of
construction, carried out on site or prefabricated
· partially or totally reduces the environmental
impact of construction and optimizes the
consumption of resources while ensuring superior
performance. This approach is set to develop very
quickly worldwide due to the decisive advantages
it brings, not only in emerging countries, where
dynamic demographics generate a strong demand
for new homes, but also in developed countries,
which are experiencing a housing shortage, and in
general in all regions where labor is under pressure.
Light construction meets these challenges by
providing decisive advantages in terms of speed,
productivity, cost, but also ease of construction,
transformation and dismantling.
This very favorable market outlook is reinforced
by increasingly stringent regulations in terms of
environmental impact and notably of recycling
and carbon intensity, fields where light construction
is particularly effective. Among the emblematic
solutions of this approach, wood is used not only
in new buildings, but also in renovation, particularly
in the context of raised spaces or extensions.
Far from being confined to single-family homes,
it makes it possible to build collective structures
such as schools or office towers. For Saint-Gobain,
which offers a very broad range of expertise in
this area, light construction is at the heart of its
contribution to a more virtuous economy.
ACCELERATING DECARBONIZATION
IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Given the importance of the construction sector
in global greenhouse gas emissions, construction
chemicals, which includes all the chemical
components used to glue, join, seal, protect,
strengthen and perfect different building materials,
is a crucial sector for the decarbonization of
the economy. Technological innovation makes it
possible to decrease energy consumption, reduce
the carbon footprint of cement and concrete,
and promote the circular economy. Construction
chemicals therefore play a major role in the
transition to low-carbon construction and
represents an essential component of the Group's
strategy to be the leader in sustainable
construction; this is why Saint-Gobain is
strengthening its leadership and accelerating
its growth in this sector, through the acquisition
of Chryso in September 2021 and GCP Applied
Technologies in September 2022. At Saint-Gobain,
Prefabrication significantly reduces waste and the duration
of construction sites.
construction chemicals now involve over 270 sites
in 75 countries.
This market is currently estimated at between
€80 and €90 billion, with an annual growth well
above that of the construction market in general,
and relates to both new construction and to
renovation, buildings and infrastructure (tunnels,
bridges, roads, railways or dams).
The Group, with sales of more than €5 billion in
sales in this sector and a wide portfolio of brands
(including Weber, Chryso, Impac and TekBond), is
firmly positioned among the main global players in
this key segment.
32 SAINT-GOBAIN 2022/2023 INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPORTView entire presentation