Co-creation at the heart of the framework cooperation agreement between Bouygues Construction and BASF
An agreement with wide strategic scope
The agreement establishes an alliance which will allow both groups to create yet more added value in sustainable construction and to face the challenges of the future together.
In particular, its aims are to:
- Work together to develop innovative services and products which respect the environment
- Design the buildings and neighbourhoods of tomorrow
- Test the materials of the future
- Reinforce both groups' technical expertise
For both companies, this agreement means that they will support each other during future developments, testified by the presence of leading chief executives from both groups at the signing.
Olivier Homolle, President of BASF France: “Today, out of a global R&D budget of 1.84 billion euro, BASF invests 30 percent in innovation in order to increase energy efficiency and control climate change. The building sector has to face a complex challenge which, thanks to innovation, will conciliate energy efficiency, optimal cost and high quality architecture. This is the challenge we have to face with Bouygues Construction. By signing this agreement, BASF reaffirms its support to develop this strategic sector in France and Europe”.
Yves Gabriel, President and CEO of Bouygues Construction, added: "We are proud to form a partnership with BASF to work together to develop innovations which are essential when facing the challenges of construction. In a world which is increasingly interconnected and changing more quickly than ever before, Bouygues Construction is putting open innovation at the heart of its strategy and is developing partnerships with businesses, universities and organizations whose expertise complements our own."
Innovating to face the challenges of the future
With a growing world population and the increasing needs of energy savings, the building industry is faced with the challenge of meeting citizens' needs for quality buildings and infrastructure, without neglecting environmental protection and economic factors. "Through this partnership, Bouygues Construction and BASF will work together to develop, test and improve construction products, but also reflect on future challenges for the sector", explained Philippe Van de Maele, Director of Innovation and Sustainable Construction at Bouygues Construction. "With this comprehensive approach, both will bring their expertise and vision for the sector to help create structures which respect the environment more and which are more comfortable for their daily users."
As the market leader in raw materials, systems and finished products for the building sector, BASF already provides economic and sustainable solutions which allow high quality construction. They aim to do even better. "This partnership brings together the expertise of the leading chemical company and our application know-how with Bouygues, who drives globally a huge number of major projects all along the construction value chain", said Philipp Kley, Senior Vice President Construction Chemicals Europe at BASF. "We are very happy to connect with Bouygues to jointly realize step-change innovation for the construction industry.”
BASF Preview at the Innovation Campus held by Bouygues Construction
Bouygues Construction held the Innovation Campus at its head office, called Challenger. In this recently renovated building – a world first triple certified HQE – BREEAM – LEED – the event brought together group partners for a day of presentations, conferences and exchanges.
During the Campus, the Bouygues Construction head office atrium was transformed into an exhibition space for its partners' major innovations. BASF experts presented a preview of the innovations for the year 2014-2015, including a new generation of polymers for controlling the viscosity of concrete as well as several flagship products.
BASF, Bouygues Construction and sustainable construction
BASF has put interdisciplinary teams of construction professionals in place to develop solutions to increase buildings' energy efficiency, reduce the amount of resources needed for construction and contribute to higher standards of living. The group is actively involved in Green Building Councils across the world. It provides authentic and reliable information with a scientific basis, and publishes an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for many of its products.
Bouygues Construction's sustainable development strategy aims to design, build and operate sustainable structures. In keeping with Group values, which bring together the quest for performance and respect for people, this process creates innovation and cohesion.
> About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
About the Construction Chemicals division
BASF’s Construction Chemicals division offers advanced chemicals solutions for new construction, maintenance, repair and renovation of structures: Our comprehensive portfolio encompasses concrete admixtures, cement additives, chemical solutions for underground construction, waterproofing systems, sealants, concrete repair & protection systems, performance grouts, performance flooring systems, tile fixing systems, expansion control systems and wood protection solutions.
The Construction Chemicals division’s 5,700 employees form a global community of construction experts. To solve our customers’ specific construction challenges from conception through to completion of a project, we combine our know-how across areas of expertise and regions and draw on the experience gained in countless construction projects worldwide. We leverage global BASF technologies, as well as our in-depth knowledge of local building needs, to develop innovations that help make our customers more successful and drive sustainable construction.
The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of about €2.1 billion in 2013.
> About Bouygues Construction
As a global player in construction and services, Bouygues Construction designs, builds and operates buildings and structures which improve the quality of people’s living and working environment: public and private buildings, transport infrastructures and energy and communications networks. A leader in sustainable construction, the Group and its 52,200 employees have a long-term commitment to helping their customers shape a better life. In 2013, Bouygues Construction generated sales of 11.1 billion Euros.
