Why is R&D important for Bouygues Construction, especially today?

Our world is changing very quickly, and we have new challenges to face. • The first area concerns uses and how to give our customers more added value. We need to listen to them to better meet their needs. This requires a better understanding of the impact of digital technology. This may lead us to develop new services for the end user and to put forward new business models. • A second area, which will affect our structure, is the improvement of our processes. We must build faster and cheaper by using new construction methods, thus improving quality and reducing onerous tasks. Industrialisation, robotisation, optimised design, connected operators, 3D printing and modular construction are all fields to be explored. • Lastly, the third area is sustainable development. The construction industry is a sector that still emits greenhouse gases and uses a lot of materials. Our customers are paying more and more attention to these topics. Decreasing our carbon footprint, using eco-friendly materials, managing our resources more efficiently, reusing and recycling are also major topics of our R&D.

How is R&D organised at Bouygues Construction and what are its specific features?

Since 2016, we have eight units. At this stage, we must focus on deploying mature projects and managing strategic priorities. It is also important that we maintain technical expertise related to materials, data, energy performance, ecodesign, smart cities, and so on. In addition, relations with the academic world could be developed further. The Construction 4.0 Chair programme, for example, was launched with Centrale Lille, where a joint research team (PhD students, young researchers and Group employees) is working to lead the digital transition through digitalisation and industrialisation. R&D projects must meet business needs. However, it is important to take the time to experiment without always expecting an immediate ROI. For example, a few years ago, some people weren’t at all convinced by 3D printing, whereas today it is attracting more interest.

How does R&D work internally with the various Bouygues Construction entities?

All the entities will be consulted before the strategic priorities of the new three-year plan are approved. R&D must be attentive to strong trends and weak signals emanating from project teams and operational staff, as well as the world of innovation and prospective intelligence. In the current way in which the innovation process is organised, R&D is the element that seeks solutions. There is clearly an interest in pooling research across the Bouygues Construction Group, in particular to obtain an overview of all trades and all regions of the world. For example, the modular building experience developed in Singapore could be useful in Europe.