Lafarge Research Centre, the research arm of French cement company Lafarge group, has announced collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. As part of this, it would conduct research on the durability and long-term performance of concrete through the latter's laboratory facility.

Based on a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two parties almost five months ago, the IIT Madras has already set up a laboratory in its department of Civil Engineering to conduct joint research and development programs.

According to a company statement, the research program would take the construction materials, techniques and systems prevailing in India, into account.

Lafarge has issued a fund of around INR 1.5 crore for setting up the laboratory and initiating the first phase of the project. It would also provide know-how for the research activities. IIT Madras would share updates and findings from the investigations conducted at the IIT Madras with Lafarge.

Mr Pascal Casanova group R&D head of Lafarge said that "This is the first of its kind collaboration from Lafarge with a premier institution in India. We believe IIT Madras is extremely qualified and has in-depth technical knowledge and experience to provide valuable input to the research needs of the construction sector.” He added that the company was also looking for similar research and development collaborations with other institutes in the country.

The first project under the collaboration, to test carbonation of concrete, is expected to start in the laboratory soon, said

Mr Revindra Gettu professor department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras said that "This is the first of its kind collaboration from Lafarge with a premier institution in India. We believe IIT Madras is extremely qualified and has in-depth technical knowledge and experience to provide valuable input to the research needs of the construction sector.”

Mr Gettu said that the purpose of the research is to conduct tests on concrete in various parts of the country to identify the nature of carbonation and its effects in concrete in different atmospheric conditions. Though the validity of the MoU signed between the two parties is three years, the first project itself has to go on for five years, to collect adequate information.

The institute would work towards improving the relationship with Lafarge and the collaboration may extend to more areas of partnership in research and development, said Mr VG Idichandy deputy director of IIT Madras.

Lafarge, which entered into Indian market in 1999, has four cement plants in India two in Chhattisgarh and one grinding plant each in Jharkhand and West Bengal. The company has presence in three lines of business, aggregates and concrete, cement and gypsum plaster-boards, in India

(Sourced from BS)