The Center for Innovation and Development (CIND) was created in 2007 to support customers in solving technical problems associated with the concrete characteristics and the development of new cementitious products.
The centre has continued the work developed by the former SECIL Concrete Laboratory for over 30 years.
Accredited since 2011, the CIND has focused on the study and development of cements, their applications and respective production processes, which has allowed the launch of new innovative solutions and new potential markets.
Currently, the CIND is responsible for coordinating the R&D of the SECIL group, being a reference for the construction industry, as a synonym of knowledge and innovation. In this context, it has enjoyed funding support for the development of its projects, both from P2020 and H2020.
The Center for Innovation and Development (CIND) provides a wide range of characterisation tests across various material domains, including:
- Characterisation tests for aggregates;
- Characterisation tests for cements and binders;
- Characterisation tests for mortars;
- Characterisation tests for cement-based adhesives;
- Characterisation tests for repair products and systems;
- Tests on fresh and hardened concrete;
- Durability and accelerated ageing tests on concrete and mortars;
- In-situ tests on concrete and mortars;
- Characterisation tests for precast elements;
- Concrete mix design studies.
In addition to Secil's Quality Policy, the Executive Committee establishes the following commitment for the Laboratories with accredited tests: to be recognised internally and externally for good professional practices and the quality of the tests and services provided.
To this end, it undertakes to comply with the requirements of NP EN ISO/IEC 17025, disseminating them to all the Staff involved, raising their awareness of the need for strict compliance with the associated documentation.