Innovation
Research programmes
Innovation plays an
increasingly important role in Group entities. The main theme of the
Senior Executives Convention in 2008 was innovation, with the specific
aim of encouraging cross-company innovation. The Research, Development
and Innovation Committee, bringing together representatives of the
different entities, broadened its base by including representatives of
recently acquired companies. Reporting to the Executive Committee, it
facilitates exchange of information about research projects under way
in Group companies or within the framework of national or European
programmes.
Technological excellence and innovation in methods and processes for construction and concessions are the hallmarks of VINCI companies:
- Soletanche-Freyssinet, world leader in specialised civil engineering, works in structures, special foundations and soil technologies. Through its Ménard and Terre Armée brands, Freyssinet has developed a range of technical solutions and know-how – "Freyssinet Sustainable Technology" - satisfying the main environmental criteria of sustainable development. With the recent addition of Nuvia to its portfolio of brands, Freyssinet is expanding its offering of specialised services to the nuclear industry, with the aim of covering all stages of the life cycle: decommissioning and decontamination of nuclear installations, waste treatment, radiation protection and process engineering. Inventor of a whole range of processes and equipment considered as international benchmarks, Solétanche Bachy sees innovation as central to its development strategy. Thanks to its dynamic R&D policy and cross-company innovation programmes, it is able to provide competitive solutions that reinforce its position as world leader in soil works and technologies.
- The expertise of Entrepose Contracting supplements that of VINCI Construction Grands Projets on exceptional structures. They work together, for instance, on designing and building energy storage facilities (such as liquefied natural gas reservoirs), an important link in the energy distribution chain, and to address technical challenges. On top of its own in-house research programmes, Entrepose supports innovative research in SMEs through CITEPH (coordination for technological innovation in hydrocarbon exploration and production).
- Eurovia continues to combine innovation, ecology and sustainable development, from design phase through to execution. Innovative materials requiring less energy to produce and over their whole life cycle are developed in the central research centre and used on Eurovia construction sites. Recycling techniques are becoming more diverse and more widely used. Warm-mix surfacings are starting to replace hot-mix surfacings for pavements. Eco-design, measured by the Gaïa.BE tool, is becoming a selection criterion in project bids.
- Closely involved in international research on the road of tomorrow, VINCI Concessions motorway companies (ASF, Cofiroute and Escota) are working on new vehicle-infrastructure cooperation applications. These new techniques will optimise infrastructure use, enhance road safety and contribute to more fluid traffic. Alternative modes of transport are another subject of reflection, for instance around intermodality of public and individual transport.
- With the last preparations for the A86 West tunnel, VINCI Energies put into practice its latest multi-technology solutions for information and telecommunications systems. VINCI Energies is also preparing for the energy revolution by acquiring more in-depth expertise in energy-independent systems (such as wind-powered streetlamps) and construction of biofuel plants.
Technological excellence and innovation in methods and processes for construction and concessions are the hallmarks of VINCI companies:
- Soletanche-Freyssinet, world leader in specialised civil engineering, works in structures, special foundations and soil technologies. Through its Ménard and Terre Armée brands, Freyssinet has developed a range of technical solutions and know-how – "Freyssinet Sustainable Technology" - satisfying the main environmental criteria of sustainable development. With the recent addition of Nuvia to its portfolio of brands, Freyssinet is expanding its offering of specialised services to the nuclear industry, with the aim of covering all stages of the life cycle: decommissioning and decontamination of nuclear installations, waste treatment, radiation protection and process engineering. Inventor of a whole range of processes and equipment considered as international benchmarks, Solétanche Bachy sees innovation as central to its development strategy. Thanks to its dynamic R&D policy and cross-company innovation programmes, it is able to provide competitive solutions that reinforce its position as world leader in soil works and technologies.
- The expertise of Entrepose Contracting supplements that of VINCI Construction Grands Projets on exceptional structures. They work together, for instance, on designing and building energy storage facilities (such as liquefied natural gas reservoirs), an important link in the energy distribution chain, and to address technical challenges. On top of its own in-house research programmes, Entrepose supports innovative research in SMEs through CITEPH (coordination for technological innovation in hydrocarbon exploration and production).
- Eurovia continues to combine innovation, ecology and sustainable development, from design phase through to execution. Innovative materials requiring less energy to produce and over their whole life cycle are developed in the central research centre and used on Eurovia construction sites. Recycling techniques are becoming more diverse and more widely used. Warm-mix surfacings are starting to replace hot-mix surfacings for pavements. Eco-design, measured by the Gaïa.BE tool, is becoming a selection criterion in project bids.
- Closely involved in international research on the road of tomorrow, VINCI Concessions motorway companies (ASF, Cofiroute and Escota) are working on new vehicle-infrastructure cooperation applications. These new techniques will optimise infrastructure use, enhance road safety and contribute to more fluid traffic. Alternative modes of transport are another subject of reflection, for instance around intermodality of public and individual transport.
- With the last preparations for the A86 West tunnel, VINCI Energies put into practice its latest multi-technology solutions for information and telecommunications systems. VINCI Energies is also preparing for the energy revolution by acquiring more in-depth expertise in energy-independent systems (such as wind-powered streetlamps) and construction of biofuel plants.