Italy: Italcementi has inaugurated its new research centre, i.lab, costing Euro40m near Bergamo in northern Italy. Once complete the centre, which was designed by US architect Richard Meier, will cover 23,000km3 and will employ 1300 researchers.
Italcementi will focus the research on the development of new building materials and on the use of renewable and reusable raw materials. The centre will also research special products such as 'pollution' cement.
In 2010, Italcementi's ITCLab received the European Greenbuilding Award of the European Commission for energy efficient construction and now the centre can also boast Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certification. The centre allows energy saving of up to 60% compared to traditional buildings, director general Giovanni Ferrari said.