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The construction industry isn’t exactly known for early digital adoption or environmental sensitivity. Yet, amid growing pressure for climate resilience and sustainability, it’s undergoing a major shift.
One of the players at the forefront of this transformation is Cécile Villette, CEO of Altaroad and General Secretary of Contech France, a construction innovation association.
I recently sat down with Vilette to discuss how Altaroad is reshaping the future of infrastructure by leveraging AI, circular economy principles, and a bold vision for sustainable construction.
Climate Resilience: The New Imperative for Infrastructure
Villette said climate resilience in the construction sector is no longer just a buzzword - it’s a necessity: “Sustainable infrastructure means being compatible with climate change. It’s about ensuring you can still source the materials you need in a climate-challenged world."
With traditional materials becoming increasingly scarce or environmentally unsustainable, construction companies are being forced to rethink their supply chains. “Roads are made out of carbon-intensive materials that may not always be available in the future. We need to explore new alternatives now, to ensure they’re viable when needed,” she noted.
This proactive approach is central to Altaroad’s mission. By helping companies understand their material flows and waste management from the ground up, Altaroad is empowering them to build infrastructure that is both durable and sustainable.
“We help the people who are building and paying for infrastructure understand what’s happening with materials and resources—before, during, and after construction,” Villette explained.
How Altaroad is Transforming Construction Sites
Altaroad is a SaaS platform that uses cameras and sensors to trace the materials flowing in and out of a construction site, providing companies with an overall view of the construction project. This enables them to identify what materials can be reused and what needs to be responsibly discarded. The data is then uploaded to a platform and workflow tool that companies can use to track what is going on on the construction site in real-time. This comprehensive traceability optimizes resource usage and reduces waste.
Altaroad was started seven years ago by Cécile Villette, Bérengère Lebental, and Rihab Jerbi with the goal of improving sustainability and the security of road infrastructures. Altaroad has developed its technology with research partners at the Polytechnique School, CNRS, and Gustave Eiffel University (ex-IFSTTAR).
The initial focus was road sensors to detect faults and improve infrastructure. However, customer demand led them to pivot toward construction sites.
“Construction is extremely fragmented. You can’t reuse materials if you don’t know where they’re coming from,” Villette said.
Altaroad has raised approximately $14.2 million in financing. That includes a €10 million financing from the European Innovation Council and Pro BTP Innovation. In November 2020, the company received a grant of $2.2 million from the European Union. Earlier, in 2019, Altaroad completed a seed funding round with participation from investors such as ESSEC ALUMNI, Femmes Business Angels, and Paris Business Angels.
AI: The Game Changer
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every industry, and construction is no exception. Villette said AI has been transformative for Altaroad.
“We started with ground measurement, and now our proprietary AI is integral to our model," she said. "It aggregates diverse data points to anticipate risks, trace materials, and even recommend sustainable alternatives.”
One use case involved Vinci and the Grand Paris project, a large-scale urban development initiative launched to transform the Paris metropolitan area into a more competitive and sustainable global city. The project aims to improve transportation, housing, economic development, and urban planning across the Île-de-France region.
Altaroad provided a list of low-emission trucks that helped reduce the project’s carbon footprint by 15%.
“We had the data and the parameters. Our AI compared different models and provided the best options to help our client make the best choices and lower their overall carbon footprint, something that would not have been possible before,” Villette explained.
The company is also using AI for advanced material recognition, allowing construction companies to identify reusable components while filtering out contaminants like plaster, which can compromise recycling.
Circular Economy: Turning Waste into Opportunity
Altaroad isn’t just optimizing construction sites; it’s driving a circular economy revolution. “We’re not just tracking waste. We’re helping companies rethink it as a resource,” Villette explained.
For example, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, Altaroad’s platform has fostered a culture of sustainability. “They told me, ‘I’ve never talked so much with my colleagues about what we’re using and how to reuse it.’ That’s the kind of impact we want to create,” she said.
Through digital tracing and AI-powered material recognition, Altaroad ensures that more than 30% of construction waste is reused, significantly reducing landfill contributions.
Regulation: A Necessary Nudge rather than a rude word
When it comes to sustainable construction, regulation is both a driver and a hurdle. “You need a nudge in the beginning. Some regulations are well-designed and effective, like the AJEC circular economy law. Others, like CSRD, are overly complex and need simplification—but not elimination,” Villette argued.
Altaroad’s platform helps companies navigate these regulatory landscapes by providing comprehensive reporting and compliance tools. This makes it easier for clients to meet evolving legal requirements while staying focused on sustainability.
Contech France: Building a Community for Change
Villette is also championing change on a broader scale through Contech France, an association she leads as General Secretary. In just one year, it has grown to include over 50 startups and companies focused on digital and sustainable construction innovations.
“AI is an enormous opportunity for construction. It allows us to optimize materials, change practices, and ultimately reduce environmental impact,” she explained. This community-driven approach not only fosters collaboration but also accelerates the adoption of green technologies across the industry.
The Future: Scaling Impact with AI and Digital Innovation
Looking ahead, Cécile Villette is optimistic about the potential for AI and digital tools to revolutionize sustainable construction. “We need to mix digital AI and material science. But to innovate, you need reliable information—something Altaroad is uniquely positioned to provide,” she said.
With AI capabilities continuously expanding, Altaroad is poised to scale its impact, not just in France but globally. The company is already attracting international clients, including a prominent Swiss partner.
A Vision for Climate-Resilient Infrastructure
Villette said sustainable infrastructure is not just about reducing emissions or conserving resources—it’s about rethinking how we build and live. By leveraging advanced technologies like AI and fostering a culture of sustainability, she said that Altaroad is helping the construction industry move from being part of the problem to becoming a key player in the climate solution.
As Villette said: “We’re helping the industry become future-proof.”
