#948 Can Better Buildings Cut India’s Energy Bills By Up To 40%? | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report
Summary
Eash Sridhar, CEO of Saint-Gobain Asia Pacific, discusses the company’s shift toward integrated, sustainable building solutions in India. He highlights how combining glass, gypsum, insulation, and construction chemicals enhances energy efficiency, reduces carbon footprints, and improves indoor health. Sridhar emphasizes the need for mandatory insulation to combat climate change and details significant investments in local manufacturing and R&D. He also explains how Saint-Gobain’s decentralized strategy mitigates global trade volatility while expanding exports to neighboring regions.
Topics discussed
Introduction: Eash Sridhar and Saint-Gobain's mission
Product portfolio: Glass, gypsum, and insulation
Energy efficiency and retrofit case studies
Climate resilience and 'Made in India' manufacturing
Lightweight walls and thermal performance benefits
Acoustic solutions and noise pollution reduction
Advanced plasterboard features: Fire, mold, and air quality
Global insights and India's export potential
R&D focus: Stakeholder engagement and affordability
Education, skill development, and cost misconceptions
Waterproofing, corrosion, and Fosrock acquisition
Public infrastructure: Roads, airports, and durability
Airport resilience and reducing embodied carbon
Mineral wool insulation vs. unsafe alternatives
Strategic role of abrasives in the portfolio
Future investments in India and greenfield projects
Export opportunities and decentralized business model
Leadership journey: From finance to ground-level ops
Navigating trade wars and supply chain resilience
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