Description and Role

Saint-Gobain Research Provence is one of eight transversal research centers of the Saint-Gobain group. Research projects concern mineral materials, ceramics and refractories: formulation, synthesis and material packaging, product characterization and in-service performance, development of manufacturing processes. The products, in the form of grains, powders, and machined components or systems, are designed for high-tech applications, in areas such as modern production, energy-saving or environmental protection, for major industrial sectors and sustainable habitat.

SGR Provence is provided with state-of-the-art equipment for all kind of chemical, physical and structural measurements and characterization, for metrology as well as in process technology, including furnaces operating at temperatures over 2,000 °C. The centre has built up many deep long-term relationships with Saint-Gobain plants all over the world and collaborates with the other R&D teams of the Group. As unity is strength, we cooperate also with external partners from industry or academic research in France and abroad.

Within SPRINT project, Saint-Gobain Research Provence develops and upscales the cathode materials for sodium ion battery. In particular, we develop maricite NaFePO4 as cathode material using high temperature synthesis and optimized particle design. We also supply β-alumina and alumina fillers for the electrolyte formulation.