Saint-Gobain Bets Big on India for Next Phase of Growth

French construction materials major Saint-Gobain has reaffirmed its strong commitment to India, outlining ambitious expansion plans driven by acquisitions and sustained capital investments. Speaking to PTI during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, global CEO Benoit Bazin said India remains one of the group’s most important and high-potential markets globally.

Bazin highlighted that Saint-Gobain, a global leader in light and sustainable construction solutions, sees India as a long-term growth engine due to rapid urbanisation, rising housing demand, and a young, expanding population. The company currently generates nearly 2 billion euros in annual revenue from India and has consistently doubled its business every five years through steady investments.

The group already operates 82 manufacturing plants across the country and is on track to cross the 100-plant milestone in the near future. Notably, all its Indian operations are managed by local leadership. India CEO Sreedhar N also oversees Saint-Gobain’s Asia-Pacific business, underscoring the strategic importance of the Indian market within the global organisation.

India’s role for Saint-Gobain goes beyond manufacturing and sales. The company has built a strong innovation ecosystem in the country, with over 400 researchers based in Chennai and nearly 2,000 IT professionals supporting global operations. According to Bazin, India is increasingly contributing innovations not just for domestic use but for global markets as well.

Saint-Gobain also sees India as a major talent hub, with Indian managers holding leadership roles across regions including Europe and Australia. This global mobility of Indian professionals has strengthened the company’s international operations.

Looking ahead, Bazin expressed strong confidence in India’s economic trajectory over the next decade, especially in construction and infrastructure. With more than 95 percent of products sold locally being made in India, the company is also leveraging the country as an export base for Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia. Saint-Gobain’s India business has been recording close to 10 percent annual volume growth and is expected to maintain this momentum.