French cement major, Lafarge, is mulling over to set up a research and development facility in India for developing solutions and products to suit the growing demand of 'green' infrastructure and affordable housing.

Mr Pascal Casanova director R&D of Lafarge told reporters that "Demand for new infrastructure and housing in India is increasing rapidly. This growth, however, must be met through new, innovative approaches to construction that take into account social, economic and environmental imperatives. We are mulling setting up a complete R&D facility in India.”

He said that “The company, which has four cement plants in India, has, however, not yet finalized any plan on setting up a facility in India, adding that we are currently studying the demand pattern of India."

Mr Casanova said that Lafarge has already tied up with IIT Madras, IIT New Delhi, IIT Bombay, Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore for carrying out research in concrete quality, life and durability.

He added that "Developing solutions to meet the specific needs of the Indian market requires close partnerships with local actors in the construction chain. We will continue to collaborate with more institutes for conducting scientific researches to address sustainable construction and global warming challenges in the country.

(Sourced from ET)