sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report

The High-Performance Materials Division delivers high valueadded
solutions for the construction and manufacturing
markets, leveraging proficiency in three main types
of materials – mineral ceramics (though the Ceramics, Grains
& Powders, Abrasives and Crystals businesses), performance
polymers (Performance Plastics) and glass fabrics (Textile
Solutions). The Division has acquired leading edge expertise
in a range of technologies running across these businesses,
enabling it to leverage all the benefits of these highly
complementary materials and to design innovative
composites.
With its unique portfolio of materials and technologies, the
High-Performance Materials business can make a decisive
contribution to addressing the challenges currently facing the
habitat and construction industry. In the area of photovoltaic
systems, for example, the Division manufactures fused quartz
crucibles that are used to grow monocrystalline silicon slabs,
supplies silicon substrate cutting tools and has developed
plastic films for the manufacture of flexible solar modules.
Also for the habitat and construction markets, the Division
has developed abrasives for rough cutting concrete walls and
floors, polishing interior surfaces and creating decorative
finishes. Highly sophisticated refractory products are used to
produce special glass for flat-screen displays, while crystals are
used to make electroluminescent diodes, contributing to the
development of tomorrow’s energy-efficient LED lighting
solutions.
Many of the Division’s solutions are developed jointly with
customers, in order to match their needs as closely as possible.
The High-Performance Materials Division allocates a
significant proportion of net sales to Research and
Innovative
Materials
HIGH-PERFORMANCE
MATERIALS
Development (close to 4% in 2008). Most of the Research
and Development commitment is focused on large projects
that demonstrate the immense potential of these types
of materials to address today’s most critical habitat and
construction, energy and environmental challenges.
Examples of Research and Development projects include:
• Improving roof performance with films and compound fabrics.
By combining performance plastics and glass fabrics, we can
design new roofing films and membranes that last longer,
insulate better and are self-cleaning.
• Reducing automotive emissions with the diesel particulate
filter. Silicon carbide, one of the Division’s key materials, is
used to meet exacting specifications for particulate filters,
which will become compulsory on diesel engines under
European standards in 2010.
• Decentralizing power generation with fuel cells. Ceramicoxide
fuel cells can be used to generate home electricity
from natural gas.
High-performance Materials are being developed at
our four cross-business Research and Development centers,
in Northboro, Massachusetts in the United States, at Saint-
Gobain CREE in Cavaillon, France, at Saint-Gobain Recherche
in Aubervilliers, France, and at Saint-Gobain Research
in Shanghai, China, the new center set up to support
our businesses and target new markets for our products
in Asia. A variety of other Research and Development teams
are based at the Division’s large industrial facilities, enabling
them to harness the power of an efficient production system
extending across more than thirty-five countries worldwide.
STRATEGY AND BUSINESSES
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Saint-Gobain - 2008 Annual Report