VINCI and ParisTech launch the lab recherche environnement
A partnership to build connections between science and industry.
Work to enable VINCI to expand its range of solutions and services at the cutting edge of environmental innovation.
VINCI and ParisTech are consolidating their partnership by setting up the lab recherche environnement. The science sponsorship partnership was initiated in 2008 with the Eco-Design Chair to expand research on the environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure. With the lab recherche environnement, the partnership is now entering a new phase, stepping up its work and aiming to increase the connections between science and industry.
VINCI is providing €5 million in funding for the Fondation ParisTech foundation until 2023 to enable it to expand its research programmes. In addition, the Group’s building and infrastructure projects offer scientists a special area of research focused on three themes: energy efficiency of buildings (MINES ParisTech); biodiversity (AgroParisTech); and sustainable mobility (École des Ponts ParisTech).
The new roadmap of the lab recherche environnement sets out three goals:
- limiting the environmental impact of buildings and neighbourhoods while controlling costs;
- integrating environmental aspects in business digitalisation, notably by making energy simulation part of BIM (building information modeling);
- improving user well-being, comfort and health, notably by reducing urban heat islands.
This new stage also aims to increase operational applications by identifying emerging trends, developing innovative solutions and creating new business activities. The partnership has already provided input for many environmental solutions provided by VINCI business activities such as Urbalia (urban biodiversity), Equo Vivo (ecological engineering) and Power Road® (energy-generating roads). The tools it develops are designed to be implemented in demonstration projects such as the life cycle analysis of the Lumières neighbourhood in Saint Denis, aimed at precisely measuring environmental impacts, as part of the Rêve de Scènes Urbaines programme.
The lab recherche environnement is an integral part of VINCI’s new environmental strategy, which includes a commitment to achieve a 40% reduction in Group’s CO2 emissions by 2030 and to save resources by expanding the circular economy and conserving natural environments. The Group’s innovation policy is largely focused on the environment, notably via research and development activities and scientific and technological partnerships. VINCI’s goal is to develop practical solutions that improve quality of life for residents while reducing the impact of its own activity.
