Building materials' maker Lafarge has invited players at different levels of the construction chain to propose innovations for sustainable construction.
Entries from entrepreneurs, start-ups, engineers, architects, consultants and academicians in India will compete for the company's Lafarge Invention Awards, the second edition of the award programme, after one in Europe last year.
Lafarge plans an incubation programme for the winners where the company will help start-ups with technical assistance to develop the idea.
“India is seeing a need for building infrastructure and housing, and these needs have to be met by sustainable methods and innovations in construction. The innovations cannot be implemented without interactions and collaborations amongst the different players. Bringing about such collaborations is what we basically hope to achieve after this competition,” Mr Pascal Casanova, Director, R&D, Lafarge, told
Stressing the need for trained architects and technicians in the construction industry in India, Mr Casanova said that Lafarge, through the collaborations that the competition might bring about, will focus on training for architects and engineers, technology and product innovations, and increasing awareness on the need for sustainable construction in India.
In this context, Lafarge recently entered into collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras for research in quality and durability of concrete.
The company also plans to enter into such collaborations with other universities in India and with other material science and construction experts in the country.