Concrete goals with Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals
From tunnels to towers, Saint-Gobain Construction Chemicals (SGCC) is helping reshape construction with better concrete and bold innovation.
Concrete is everywhere – from bridges and tunnels to homes and hospitals.
But it comes with a heavy environmental cost: it’s responsible for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions. That’s why SGCC is on a mission to change how the world builds – starting with the very material we rely on most.
“We have to find ways to make concrete more sustainable,” says James Mills, Senior Marketing Manager, SGCC UK & Ireland.
Reduction of embodied carbon
SGCC tackles this challenge through two primary chemical solutions.
Cement additives are used during production to reduce the carbon footprint of cement itself, while concrete admixtures are applied at the plant to optimise performance. These admixtures enable the use of lower-carbon cement blends and alternative materials like recycled aggregates and locally sourced sands.
This approach directly supports the reduction of embodied carbon. Cement additives allow the use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and improve production efficiency, while admixtures make it possible to incorporate lower-carbon cements without compromising strength or workability.
“They also allow precise adjustment of concrete’s properties to achieve the performance characteristics needed for each specific application and scenario,” James told Skyline.
Durability
Sustainability isn’t just about reducing carbon – it’s about making structures last. SGCC’s portfolio is designed to enhance durability, increasing the service life of buildings and infrastructures. Improved cement and concrete strengths, achieved through additives and admixtures, are complemented by advanced protection systems. These include waterproofing solutions from GCP and Fosroc, as well as coatings, linings, and barrier technologies from Fosroc that shield concrete against environmental stressors.
Extending service life
Beyond durability, SGCC also focuses on repair and extension of life. Fosroc’s range of grouts, anchors, and repair mortars provide effective solutions for concrete rehabilitation, ensuring that existing structures can be strengthened and preserved rather than replaced. This reduces both financial and environmental costs, while aligning with the principle of circular construction.
The focus now is on large-scale infrastructure projects – bridges, tunnels, highways – where concrete is irreplaceable. This pivot is both strategic and stabilising. “Infrastructure is dramatically different,” James explains, “this diversification strengthens our financial resilience. Our focus on infrastructure has driven growth in construction chemicals and extended Saint-Gobain’s reach beyond residential and commercial markets.”
A standout example is Fosroc UK’s work on the A19 Tees Viaduct, which earned the Environment and Sustainability Award at Construct Day 2025. The project shows how repairing and extending the life of critical transport infrastructure is both time-efficient and far more sustainable than rebuilding.
Over the past four years, SGCC has expanded its global presence through a series of strategic acquisitions, including Chryso, GCP Applied Technologies, and Fosroc. The division now operates in 76 countries with 54 additional production sites, reinforcing its leadership in construction chemicals. This combined strength allows SGCC to support the entire life cycle of a structure, from groundworks to long-term protection, and from repair to recycle – an essential contribution to sustainable building.
Digital innovation
SGCC is also modernising quality assurance with digital tools. Verifi (internet-connected sensors) monitors concrete properties during transit, while Maturix uses embedded sensors to track curing, temperature, and strength on-site. These technologies provide clients and contractors with real-time data, improving accountability and reducing waste. SGCC’s early involvement in project specifications – especially in waterproofing and groundworks – positions it as a vital partner within the wider Saint-Gobain group.
“Ultimately, SGCC's extensive portfolio proves its fundamental alignment with Saint-Gobain’s vision of making the world a better home and leading in light and sustainable construction,” adds James.
“Creating the SGCC Business Unit is a very smart move by Saint-Gobain. It brings together a high-performance platform that strengthens resilience through market diversification and addresses one of construction’s greatest challenges: sustainable concrete.”
In just a few years, through a series of strategic acquisitions, SGCC has positioned itself as a global leader – championing innovation, resilience, and long-term value in the construction industry.