New Serge Ferrari Group R&D Centre: A €4.3 M investment
For 50 years, the Serge Ferrari Group, a leader in flexible composites, has anchored its development and pursuit of new markets in its culture of innovation. The new Innovation Center creates solutions, formulations and industrial processes that are more useful and sustainable. Its aims are to build better with less for markets with ever-changing demands.
The Serge Ferrari Group designs, develops and manufactures ground-breaking flexible composites with unique properties: robust, light and comfortable. In 2022, the company earmarked 2.8% of its turnover to innovation to accompany market developments. With this investment, the Group can develop solutions that are in line with the broader context of environmental transitions.
The Group recently invested €4.3 M in an Innovation Center inaugurated this year near its historical headquarters in Rochetoirin, France, near La Tour-du-Pin. This center of expertise brings together over 30 researchers on more than 1,000 m² of office space, an experimental section with 500 m² of laboratories, and a pilot production line. It can also welcome teams who work in other Serge Ferrari research centers.
“Serge Ferrari is a visionary company. It seeks to grow while remaining one step ahead of the rest. It is easy enough to say, but that should not hide the magnitude of the challenge: maintaining the same level of performance in the future while reducing the use of natural resources for a less impactful and more durable construction industry.” said Sébastien Baril, President of the Group Executive Board.
Serge Ferrari, act now to build a better tomorrow
Philippe Espiard, the Group’s R&D Director, manages this strategic tool dedicated to developing disruptive materials and innovations. The center fosters synergies and smooth exchanges between the R&D and marketing teams to support the company’s growth in its four strategic markets: solar protection, tensile architecture, modular structures, furniture and marine applications.
Serge Ferrari came into being thanks to an outstanding innovation, the Précontraint technology. The company plans to expand its innovation capabilities through its Innovation Center by developing formulations, technologies, materials and applications that match changing lifestyles.
“Eco-design is front and center for us to achieve the company goal of continued economic growth with no additional environmental or social impact.” said Philippe Espiard, R&D Director.
Innovation at Serge Ferrari
● 5 research centers: France, Germany, Switzerland (2) and Italy
● 55 expert researchers across the various sites, 30 of whom are based in Rochetoirin,
France
● 40 patents, 20 of which are active
● 2.8% annual turnover in 2022 allocated to R&D
