The aim of Colas' R&D policy is to anticipate and respond to the needs of public and private transport infrastructure clients, users and local residents in terms of quality, safety, environmental protection (especially energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and savings on materials) and cost. Colas also seeks to improve existing technologies, design new products and extend the range of services on offer.
Technical and innovation skills are developed by an extensive international network of 2,000 researchers and technicians, 45% of whom in France, who work in close synergy with operational staff. The network comprises about 50 laboratories with about 1,000 employees and 100 engineering design offices with a further 1,000 employees, plus the Colas Campus for Science and Techniques (CST). The road industry's biggest private research centre, CST has a portfolio of over 130 patents and has pioneered new road technologies adapted to the different requirements of local markets, guided at all times by an overriding concern for quality, safety, environmental protection (energy efficiency, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced materials consumption) and cost.
Colas spent €70 million on R&D in 2010, the same as in 2009, 60% of it in France (according to the OECD1 definition, which includes organised research, technical laboratory activities, IT and engineering design offices).
Find out more
1Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
(Updated: June 2011)
