Tic t'ACT challenge: students imagine the sustainable infrastructures of tomorrow
How can we imagine the infrastructures of tomorrow while addressing climate and environmental challenges?
To encourage innovation and bring students closer to the world of infrastructure, Colas is organising the student challenge Tic t’ACT, an initiative that mobilises engineering schools every year around the major issues of the transition.
The 3rd edition of the Tic t’ACT student challenge concluded at PRISM in Paris, where finalist teams from Colas France's four territories came to present their projects before a jury of Group experts. The goal: to propose concrete solutions for developing more sustainable infrastructures, in line with Colas' ACT commitments, notably the low‑carbon strategy, circular economy, and innovation in the public works sector.
Relive the Tic t'ACT challenge final in video
The final of the challenge brought together in Paris the finalist student teams who came to defend their innovative projects before a jury of Colas experts. Between work sessions, pitch preparation, and the presentation of solutions imagined by the students, this day highlighted the creativity and commitment of the new generation of engineers.
Discover the highlights of the Tic t’ACT student challenge final.
A student challenge to foster innovation in infrastructure
The Tic t’ACT student challenge was designed to promote Colas’ professions in a different way and to create connections with future engineers. This initiative allows students to work on real‑world issues faced in the infrastructure and public works sector.
For this edition, the challenge brought together:
- 18 engineering schools
- 90 students
The students worked in teams to imagine innovative solutions to address the sector’s environmental transition challenges, notably around circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint of infrastructures.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the goal is also to encourage exchanges between students and professionals, and to give future engineers an opportunity to discover the expertise and projects carried out by Colas.
A national final at PRISM in Paris
After an initial phase held across Colas France’s different regions, the winning teams met at PRISM in Paris for the grand national final.
Four finalist schools took part in this decisive stage:
In total, 20 finalist students presented their projects in pitch sessions before a jury made up of several Group experts and managers.
Each team had a few minutes to present its project, detail its technical operation, and demonstrate its potential to address the environmental and industrial challenges of the infrastructure sector.
These projects illustrate the ability of engineering students to imagine new solutions for road infrastructure and the environmental transition of the public works sector.
FIBRAWAY : an innovation to repurpose textiles in road construction
Following the presentations, the jury named the ECAM LaSalle Lyon team, Emmanuelle, Apolline, Juliette, and Loïs, as the winner.
Their project, FIBRAWAY, proposes an innovative approach to integrating textile fibers from fast fashion into asphalt mixes.
These fibers, produced in large quantities and often difficult to recycle, currently represent a major environmental challenge. The students devised a solution to transform these fibers into a binder for asphalt, thereby helping to strengthen pavement durability while giving value to a material considered waste.
This innovation perfectly illustrates the principles of the circular economy applied to the infrastructure sector, transforming textile waste into useful resources to build more sustainable roads.
The students summed up their vision with a line that resonated with the jury:
“Colas, let’s weave the road to a sustainable future.”
Supporting youth engagement and professional integration
The Tic t’ACT student challenge is not limited to an innovation competition. It is also part of a societal commitment led by Colas.
To conclude this third edition, Colas teams presented a donation of €5,000 to the École de la Seconde Chance. This contribution will help support training programmes and guide young people towards professional integration.
This initiative reflects Colas’ determination to support the talents of tomorrow and to promote access to employment, in line with the Group’s values and commitments.
Training the engineers who will build the infrastrcutures of tomorrow
With the Tic t’ACT student challenge, Colas reaffirms its commitment to innovation in infrastructure, engineer training, and the environmental transition of the public works sector.
By bringing together students, experts, and professionals around concrete projects, this initiative helps to imagine new solutions for building more sustainable infrastructures, while strengthening the ties between academia and the public works professions.
This approach fully reflects Colas’ ambition: developing territories while preserving life and resources.
Join the talents building the infrastructure of tomorrow
At Colas, innovation also relies on the commitment of new generations of engineers and infrastructure professionals. Through initiatives such as the Tic t’ACT student challenge, the Group encourages talents to imagine and develop solutions for more sustainable regions.
Discover career opportunities at Colas and join the teams building the territories of tomorrow.
