Saint-Gobain completes R&D expansion

A new $15 million expansion of Saint-Gobain’s R&D Center in Northboro, Mass., will be declared officially open July 30, according to a July 17 company release.

Saint-Gobain’s worldwide CEO Pierre-André de Chalendar and the Gov. of Massachusetts Deval Patrick will attend the opening ceremony, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. July 30, at the site on Goddard Road in Northboro.Attendees willget atour of the expanded facility.

Employing 330 scientists, researchers and engineers, the Northboro R&D Center specializes in groundbreaking research into high-performance materials--primarily plastics, ceramics and abrasives--as well as renewable energy and technologies to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The expansion of the R&D Center provides an additional 60,000 square feet of laboratory, office and meeting space in a custom-built, state-of-the-art facility that has been designed to promote innovation and collaboration between research teams, according to the release.

When it is inspected later this year, the completed structure is expected to attain a Gold Rating in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, placing it among the few buildings in North America to qualify for this prestigious energy efficiency and sustainability rating, according to the release.

The new facility is a showcase for many of Saint-Gobain’s own energy-efficient building products, particularly those of its subsidiary CertainTeed, which has provided acoustical ceilings, gypsum wallboard, insulation, reflective roofing and foundation products. Window glass for new building has also been manufactured by Saint-Gobain, according to the release.