Our History
We’ve been building to connect communities from the very beginning. The Colas story started in a laboratory, almost 100 years ago.
A milestone innovation
1922. In laboratories operated by Shell, two British engineers developed an innovation that would revolutionize road construction: Cold Asphalt.
This cold bitumen emulsion, inexpensive and easy to apply, heralded the start of a new era for road infrastructure.
Colas was created in 1929 to exploit the patent in France.
And so began a unique industrial and people-focused adventure, driven by a strong conviction: we connect communities to support their development.
For nearly a century since then, Colas has constantly evolved and reinvented itself, sustainably transforming communities and regions.
On the roads of the world
Over the decades, Colas grew.
Expertise became more structured. The first signaling activities began in the 1950s, and the first quarry operations were launched in the 1960s. Colas became an operationally grounded company associated with proximity and know-how.
And this know-how spread to Overseas France, to a number of countries in Africa and Europe, as well as to Canada, the USA, and Asia.
Rethinking the public space
From the 1980s, Colas stepped up its transformation. Joining the Bouygues Group gave it the opportunity to pursue new ambitions.
Materials, railway activities, urban development… Colas consolidated its businesses, invested in industrial facilities, and continued to expand its global presence.
It set about constructing a unique integrated business model, capable of meeting all the needs of regional development.
Over time, Colas established itself as a leading player in the field of urban regeneration projects.
Landscaping, green tramway platforms, pedestrian walkways, cycle paths, sustainable surfacing solutions, etc.
Projects no longer simply addressed a technical need. The aim was also to create environments that were more enjoyable, shared, and attractive.
Reinventing collective mobility
Since the 2000s, Colas has played a leading role in the development of reserved-lane public transport.
Working alongside local authorities, our teams design and build tramways, metro lines, BRT systems, and other low-carbon mobility solutions.
These projects are about much more than just infrastructure. They are reshaping cities to be more efficient, accessible, and sustainable.
Building the future… differently
Every year, 45,000 projects are carried out, all underpinned by the same objective: to be the trusted partner of communities.
The challenge today is not only to build fast, but also to build better.
Colas drives innovation in terms of materials, services, digital technology, and the circular economy.
A history shaping our strategy today
Since 1929, Colas has evolved to meet the major challenges facing local communities. From a historic road construction company to a global development operator, our growth has been driven by innovation, close ties to the field, and constant adaptation to the needs of local authorities and businesses.
Today, this journey underpins an ambitious strategy: diversifying our expertise, accelerating the ecological transition, and delivering integrated solutions for more sustainable infrastructure.
Discover how our strategic vision extends nearly a century of commitment in the service of local communities.