The R&D&I activity in the Materials Department is part of LNEC's Research and Innovation Strategy (E2I) 2022-2027, encompassing research programs and projects under the main theme Construction, which also involve activity in the themes Industry 4.0, Circular Economy, and Climate Change.

Programs and projects are aligned to respond to the following challenges:

• Life cycle assessment and decision support;
• Development of measurement and control, quality, and conformity assessment systems;
• Development of sustainable engineering solutions;
• Risk mitigation and promotion of security and resilience of the built environment.;
• Preservation and rehabilitation of built heritage;
• Promoting quality and innovation in the built environment;
• Reuse of materials, recycling of waste and use of recycled products;
• Protection of natural and built resources.