Central Building Research Institute

What Central Building Research Institute does

Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), headquartered in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, is a national government research laboratory under India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), part of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Established in 1947 and upgraded from 'Building Research Unit' status in 1950, the institute operates eight R&D groups spanning structural engineering, geotechnical engineering and geo-hazards, fire safety engineering, building materials and environmental sustainability, advanced concrete/steel/composites, architecture planning and energy efficiency, construction automation and robotics, and heritage structures. It maintains flagship infrastructure including the National Earthquake Engineering Test Facility (NEETF) and a 3D Concrete Printing Facility, supported by a Knowledge Resource Centre holding 44,901 documents and 20,680 bound journal volumes.

CBRI's service portfolio comprises five revenue streams: (1) CSIR-funded Ongoing Research Laboratory Projects (OLP) for core research; (2) Grant-in-Aid projects from government agencies (CPWD, state PWDs, NESTS, DRDO, ASI, NDMA, MoRD) for third-party quality assurance, structural audits, and policy support; (3) industry-sponsored R&D and testing contracts with companies such as Tata Steel, Vedanta, Dalmia Cement, GAIL, and Stanvac Chemicals; (4) dedicated testing services (fire performance, materials, structural); and (5) technology transfer and licensing of proprietary innovations such as under-reamed piles, fly ash utilization, the 150-location Thermal Comfort Atlas, and fire-retardant coatings. The institute also runs AcSIR PhD and Integrated M.Tech-PhD programs.

The customer base is heavily weighted toward Indian central and state government construction and infrastructure agencies, supplemented by a smaller set of corporate R&D sponsors. Distribution is direct and relationship-driven: 42+ academic MoUs, 20+ industry MoUs, and 17 government partnerships anchor the pipeline. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per project under government procurement rules, with one-time licensing fees on technology transfer. Notable operational engagements include TPQA on 94+ Eklavya Model Residential Schools, structural auditing for ONGC and Delhi Metro, fire safety audits at AIIMS, heritage distress evaluation at the Taj Mahal and Tungnath temple, and ongoing international collaborations with WSL (Switzerland), Nepal reconstruction under MEA, and Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec (Japan).

Name

Central Building Research Institute

Legal name

CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (सीएसआईआर-केंद्रीय भवन अनुसंधान संस्थान)

Website

https://cbri.res.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CSIR-CBRI is an Indian government national laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, established in 1947 and headquartered in Roorkee, Uttarakhand. It conducts R&D in structural, geotechnical, fire safety, and sustainable building technologies, delivering third-party quality assurance, testing, consulting, and technology transfer to government agencies, industry, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Building Science Research & Testing Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Safety Compliance, Audits & Risk Assessments (Security Assessments, CPTED) (EDAEACAN)

Keywords

• Building science research
• Construction technology R&D
• Structural engineering consulting
• Fire safety testing
• Disaster mitigation engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Roorkee

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. CSIR Core Funding: Core research funding from CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) for fundamental research activities
2. CSIR Funded Projects (OLP): Ongoing Research Laboratory Projects funded by CSIR headquarters for specific R&D initiatives in building science and technology
3. Grant-in-Aid Government Projects: Third-party quality assurance, structural auditing, and technical consulting projects funded by government agencies (CPWD, state PWDs, NESTS, DRDO, ASI, etc.)
4. Sponsored Industry Projects: Industry-sponsored research projects for testing, evaluation, and technology development funded by private sector companies
5. Testing Services: Fire performance testing, material testing, and quality assessment services for construction materials and components
6. International Projects: International collaboration projects with organizations like Swiss Federal Institute and Nepal reconstruction work
7. Technology Transfer and Licensing: Transfer of developed technologies to industry partners through licensing agreements with one-time technology transfer fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) is a government research institute that provides R&D, technical consulting, and testing services in building science and construction technology. Its core offerings include fire performance and material testing, structural and geotechnical consulting, third-party quality assurance (TPQA), sponsored and government-funded R&D projects, technology transfer and licensing to industry, and academic programs (M.Tech via IDDP and PhD) through CSIR-AcSIR.

Product overview

CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) is a premier Indian government research institute established in 1947, focused on building science and technology. The institute operates as a research organization under CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and provides a portfolio of services rather than commercial software products. The core offerings include: (1) Testing Services for fire performance, structural materials, and building components; (2) Technology Transfer Services for transferring developed technologies to industry; (3) Sponsored Research and Development projects for industry partners; (4) Grant-in-Aid Projects funded by government agencies; (5) Structural Engineering, Fire Safety, and Geotechnical Consulting Services; and (6) Academic programs including IDDP (M.Tech) and PhD through CSIR-AcSIR. The institute has specialized R&D groups covering Advanced Concrete/Steel/Composites, Architecture Planning and Energy Efficiency, Building Materials and Environmental Sustainability, Construction Automation and Robotics, Fire Safety Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and Geo-Hazard, Heritage Structures, and Structural Engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Testing Services Comprehensive fire performance testing and evaluation services for building materials, fire doors, fire dampers, cable coatings, insulation, and structural elements. Targeted at construction material manufacturers, government agencies, and infrastructure projects requiring compliance testing.
• Technology Transfer Services Transfer of developed technologies to industry partners including fire-resistant coatings, construction materials, energy-efficient systems, and disaster mitigation solutions. Licensees include Stanvac Chemicals, Pidilite Industries, Tata Steel, GAIL, and others.
• Sponsored Research and Development Industry-sponsored R&D projects covering structural assessment, waterproofing systems, construction materials evaluation, and specialized testing for private sector clients such as Tata Steel, Vedanta, Dalmia Cement, GAIL, and HPGCL.
• Grant-in-Aid Projects Government-funded research projects including structural audits, third-party quality assurance (TPQA), heritage structure assessments, and disaster mitigation. Clients include CPWD, state PWDs, NESTS, DRDO, ASI, NDMA, ITBP, and other government agencies.
• Structural Engineering Consulting Expert consultation on structural health assessment, seismic engineering, and building rehabilitation services for infrastructure owners, government bodies, and industrial clients.
• Fire Safety Engineering Services Fire safety audits, fire performance testing, and safety system design consultation for buildings and infrastructure. Includes compliance testing for hospitals (AIIMS), government facilities, airports, and metro rail systems.
• Geotechnical Investigation Services Soil testing, slope stability analysis, landslide early warning systems, and foundation assessment services for infrastructure projects in challenging terrain, including Himalayan regions and expansive soil areas.
• IDDP Program (M.Tech) Integrated M.Tech and PhD program in Building Science and Disaster Mitigation offered through CSIR-AcSIR (Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research) with 10 IDDP seats, targeted at engineering graduates seeking advanced research training.
• PhD Program Doctoral program in Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Chemical Sciences, and Environmental Engineering offered through CSIR-AcSIR with 5 PhD seats, for researchers pursuing advanced building science research.
• Knowledge Resource Centre (Library) Library and information services with access to 44,901 documents, 20,680 bound journals (from 1950), 4,000+ e-resources, scientific journals, technical reports, standards, patents, and e-databases through NKRC consortium for researchers, students, and institute staff.

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co. Ltd. (Japan)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 October 2025Reaction to fire behavior testing of ACM facade materials. International project collaboration with Japanese company. Duration: 10-2025 to 05-2027.
• Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Collaboration for implementing structural reforms necessary for development of industries in India. Valid until 11-2027.
• Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of IndiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Providing scientific inputs for updating and digitizing 'PAHAL' handbook for all Indian states. Technical support for rural housing under PMAY-G. Valid until 10-2027.
• Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Structural audit/condition assessment of existing buildings, geotechnical investigation for foundation design, fire safety audit, and design verification for ONGC projects. Valid until 07-2027.
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Construction of demo building showcasing climate-resilient technologies for cold climate under CSIR Fast Track MMP. Training ITBP engineers on innovative technologies. Valid until 10-2026.
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Methodology for preparing earthquake risk scenario profiles for Indian states and union territories. Valid until 11-2024.
• NESTS (National Education Society for Tribal Students)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025TPQA agency for quality assurance of Eklavya Model Residential School construction. Inspection and monitoring of EMRS building quality. Valid until 06-2027.
• BAL Raksha Bharat (Save the Children)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Long-term collaboration in disaster-resilient housing infrastructure including technical support, DPR preparation, capacity building, knowledge sharing, field assessment, community engagement for child-centric engineering solutions. Valid until 11-2029.
• Tata Steel LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Scientific inputs for affordable housing technology for families in mining area relocation, technical suggestions for dispensary construction, slope stability, blast-induced damage reduction, and technical training workshops. Valid until 02-2026.
• Vedanta LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Development of building products using red mud and fly ash. Technology development for sustainable construction materials. Valid until 08-2028.
• Pidilite Industries LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Technology for sintered lightweight aggregates and self-compacting bearing lightweight roof/floor screed. Development of thermal insulation using SSAC composite screed. Valid until ongoing.
• GAIL India Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Valorization of PU foam, ceramic and rock wool waste in development of green sustainable composite for building components. Valid until 09-2027.
• Stanvac Chemicals India Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 25 February 2025Multiple technology transfers for fire retardant coatings, cable coatings, and fire stop barriers. Development of modified clear coating for wood and fire resistance protective layers for RC elements.
• RDCIS (SAIL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Design procedure optimization for parallel flange sections made by SAIL, CO2 mineralization assessment using steel-making slag. Valid until 04-2026.
• Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (GITAM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2024Academic MoU for scholarly and research interactions. Collaboration in building science research, student training, and faculty exchange. Valid until 12-2029.
• National Institute of Technology (NIT) HamirpurcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2024Academic MoU for scholarly and research interactions. Joint research in structural engineering and building materials. Valid until 05-2028.
• Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Thermo-mechanical modeling of rock-ice avalanches for large scale hazard indication mapping in Uttarakhand. International research collaboration. Duration: 01-2023 to 12-2026.
• LIDGET LLP (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2021Scientific and industrial interactions for building science collaboration. International partnership. Valid until ongoing.
• Ministry of External Affairs, Government of IndiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2020Design and PMC services for post-earthquake reconstruction/retrofitting of health buildings in earthquake-affected areas of Nepal. Valid until 06-2026.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• TÜV SÜD South Asia: Global testing, inspection, and certification major with strong South Asia presence in building materials, fire safety, and construction testing. Comparable in commercial testing and certification services that overlap with CBRI's TPQA and fire performance testing offerings.
• Building Research Establishment (BRE): UK's premier building science research and standards organization (now BRE Group), historically government-backed. Comparable in mission (building science R&D, standards, testing, certification), with similar fire safety, materials, and structural engineering programs, though now more commercialized.
• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): US government agency conducting measurement science, standards, and technology R&D. Comparable in government-backed R&D mission and testing infrastructure, though NIST spans far broader scientific domains than CBRI's building science focus.

Direct peers

• Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC): Indian apex body for construction industry development with which CBRI has an active MoU. Comparable in promoting construction standards, quality assurance, and industry reform in India, sharing CBRI's stakeholder base of contractors, government agencies, and policymakers.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP: German government-funded applied research institute focused on building physics, energy efficiency, and indoor climate. Closely comparable in mandate, applied R&D focus, and testing-across-research model for building envelope, acoustics, and fire behavior.
• Building Materials and Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC): Indian government body under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs promoting building materials and construction technologies. Directly comparable as a domestic peer in building materials promotion, testing standards, and technology dissemination, with overlapping mandate in affordable housing.
• CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC): Sister CSIR national laboratory located in Chennai, focused on structural engineering R&D. Directly comparable as a peer CSIR institute offering testing, consulting, and sponsored research to government and industry, sharing governance and funding models with CBRI.

Emerging players

• Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee: Premier Indian engineering university in the same Roorkee city, with overlapping building science, structural, and geotechnical expertise. Comparable as an academic partner and potential collaborator in research and talent development, sharing geography and disciplinary overlap.

Others

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) India: Indian apex body for disaster management policy with which CBRI partners on earthquake risk profiling. Adjacent, not a direct competitor, but functions as a key commissioning counterparty and ecosystem counterpart for CBRI's disaster mitigation expertise.

Regional players

• National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan government institution for building research, landslide risk management, and disaster mitigation. Comparable as a regional peer with similar mandate on building materials, geotechnical hazards, and disaster resilience, operating in a neighboring South Asian geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CSIR_CBRI
• Facebookfacebook.com/csircbri
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-building-research-institute-cbri-roorkee-uttarakhand-india-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Building Research Institute