Saint-Gobain wins “European Cleantech Corporation of the Year” award

Chennai:

Saint-Gobain received the “European Cleantech Corporation of the Year” award at the 9^th European Cleantech Forum in Bilbao (Spain), organized by Cleantech Group, a global network that brings together investors, start-ups and industrial groups in the area of green technology. This award singles out a company for its significant action to promote innovation in green technology and environmentally friendly products and services.

Saint-Gobain was selected for its sustainable habitat strategy, for continuing its strategic investments in 2012, and NOVA External Venturing’s contribution to speeding up innovation. Tasked with identifying start-ups and encouraging partnerships with Saint-Gobain Activities, NOVA’s international team promotes a culture of innovation that embraces the world outside Saint-Gobain.

“We were struck by Saint-Gobain’s consistent approach to cleantech innovation, underpinning its sustainable habitat vision, as shown by the gradual growth in new products as a percentage of its sales. In 2012, despite a tough economic context, its commitment to sustainability, innovation and energy efficiency prevailed, with notably the acquisitions of Celotex and Sage Electrochromics, and the running of the 4^th NOVA Innovation Competition. Beyond this competition, the NOVA team has progressively encouraged the building of a true ecosystem gathering together the world of start-ups and investors, to rise to tomorrow’s technological challenges”, explained Richard Youngman, Managing Director for Cleantech Group in Europe.