Development strategy
Colas’ development strategy is based on four cornerstones:
Promote value across our industrial activities, in particular quarries and bitumen
As resources become increasingly rare, it is essential to have control over aggregates and bitumen in order to carry out infrastructure projects.
Over the years, the Group has built solid positions by expanding its portfolio of quarries and developing a major bitumen purchasing, storage and distribution network.
Colas’ target is to improve its control over the availability and quality of aggregates and bitumen supplies, to ensure compliance with its safety and environmental protection commitments and to hone its competitive edge by optimizing the use of its assets, particularly through third-party sales.
Continue to focus on targeted growth around the world
Wherever it operates, Colas aims to position itself as a local leader.
Over the course of its history, Colas has shown that it knows how to integrate businesses of all sizes, in many regions across the globe and for all its activities.
With 60% of its revenue already generated outside of France, Colas also aims to expand its international development in targeted, high-potential regions.
Develop and implement low carbon solutions
Faced with the urgent need to tackle climate change, Colas has embarked on an ambitious strategy of decarbonizing its activities and its products via a variety of solutions:
- in production methods: energy savings, recycling, optimization of rolling stock and industrial processes, etc.
- commercial: contract types (long-term contracts, asset management, etc.), technologies developed by our R&D center (lower temperature and cold asphalt mixes, bio-based binders, in situ and cold pavement recycling, etc.), hydrogen, new digital services based on digital technology and data.
Accelerate our digital transformation
Colas is implementing the in-depth transformation of its processes, tools, industries, solutions and services, thanks, in particular, to big data and artificial intelligence, to improve its economic, social and environmental performance as well as that of its customers.
Digital technology represents a major lever to support and accelerate the implementation of the three objectives already mentioned.
Climate strategy
Faced with the challenges of climate change, Colas is committed to decarbonizing its activities. Colas has set itself an ambitious target, compatible with the Paris Agreement: reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions by 46.5% (Scopes 1 and 2) and its indirect upstream emissions by 30% (Scope 3a) compared to the reference year 2019. This target is based on estimates of CO2 savings resulting from the implementation of actions described in a roadmap.
Climate issues
Integrating climate issues into the strategy (new business segments based on renewable energy offers, employee awareness and training);
Energy efficiency
Improving energy efficiency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions linked to the direct energy consumption of asphalt plants, machines and vehicles (monitoring, renewable energies, low carbon solutions);
Low carbon products and solutions
Develop and promote low carbon products, techniques and solutions (purchase of low-carbon cement and binders, production of low-carbon concrete, biosourced materials, warm and cold mixes, in-place recycling);
Reduction of emissions
Contributing to carbon neutrality and the reduction of emissions from customers and users (innovative, sustainable mobility and flow management services, optimizing infrastructure uses, carbon capture and storage).
Our strengths
Colas benefits from long-term growth markets around the world. These markets are driven by population growth, urbanization, substantial demand for infrastructure in emerging countries, recurring needs for infrastructure maintenance in developed countries, environmental issues, the development of new forms of mobility and the digital revolution. Colas’ main strengths are as follows:
Collective global expertise
Thanks to the 65,000 men and women who work at Colas, united around a common history and shared values (Caring, Sharing, Daring) and a renowned brand name
Capacity for innovation
In particular with its Campus for Science and Techniques, which designs and develops products and techniques addressing the challenges of energy transition and new uses, as well as “Mobility by Colas” in the area of digital transformation, supporting mobility services by developing digital technology for new uses and services;
Vertical integration
With an international network of 3,000 construction materials production and recycling units (aggregates, bitumen emulsions, asphalt mix, etc.) and bitumen terminals, which give it control of the value chain at an upstream stage and in particular of its impact on the environment;
Decentralized organization
In the form of a network of 1,000 local business units around the world, with long-standing local teams adapted to local requirements and carrying out small-scale maintenance and development work, which represent the majority of the more than 50,000 projects performed each year.
Solid financial structure
With a strong cash flow enabling Colas to pursue its growth strategy by continuing to take advantage of targeted investment opportunities.
