Alberta Innovates Expands Its Bitumen To Carbon Fibre Test Facilities
04 Julio 2024 - 11:30AM
Alberta Innovates has received $10 million from the Regional
Innovation Ecosystems (RIE) program administered by Prairies
Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan). The funding will allow
Alberta Innovates to establish a specialized production and testing
facility to commercialize technologies that convert Alberta-sourced
bitumen into carbon fibre.
Alberta Innovates will work with Harper International who will
engineer and build the equipment for the new carbon fibre testing
facility. InnoTech Alberta will house the facility at the Edmonton
Research Park location and operate it day-to-day. Participants in
Phase III of the Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge (CFGC) will be among
the first to use this new equipment as they test and validate their
own processes and begin to scale-up the amounts of carbon fibre
required for commercial applications. The new carbon fibre testing
facility will have open-access and it is expected to be operational
by early 2025.
“As part of our Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy, our
government is working collaboratively with businesses, industry,
Indigenous communities, and all levels of government to build on
Alberta’s proven strengths in clean energy innovation. This
investment in Alberta Innovates will enable the commercialization
of new technologies that support Canada’s commitment to a net-zero
economy and sustainable jobs for Albertans.”
The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister for
PrairiesCan
“We congratulate Alberta Innovates on the success
in the Regional Innovation Ecosystems program competition. The
award will create markets and opportunities for Alberta that
haven’t previously existed. We look forward to the results of the
Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge, which has the potential to create
jobs in a new industry, and to attract investment."
Nate Glubish, Alberta Minister of
Technology and Innovation
“This funding will accelerate the development and
commercialization of carbon fibre technologies in Alberta. Carbon
fibre can be a key pathway to a net-zero emissions future -
dramatically reduce emissions and enable a new Canadian competitive
advantage in a low-carbon economy. The facility will allow carbon
fibre producers and manufacturers to meet the needs of climate
sensitive markets and get a step closer new advanced materials
industry.”
Michael Mahon, PhD, Interim, CEO, Alberta
Innovates
BACKGROUND
The Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge
is a unique three-phase competition, administered by Alberta
Innovates and co-funded with partners Emissions Reduction Alberta
and the Clean Resource Innovation Network, seeking to accelerate
the development of large-scale production pathways for carbon fibre
from Alberta-sourced bitumen feedstocks, at a significantly lower
cost than traditional carbon fibre manufacturing processes, with
the ultimate goal of promoting its use in manufactured
products.
PrairiesCan’s Regional Innovation
Ecosystems program helps create, grow, and nurture
inclusive regional ecosystems that support business needs to
facilitate innovation. Through the RIE program, targeted
investments in not-for-profit organizations support businesses in
priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally. The RIE
program also promotes inclusive growth by helping underrepresented
groups more fully participate in the innovation economy.
PrairiesCan is the federal
department that supports economic growth in Alberta, Saskatchewan,
and Manitoba. Its mandate is to support economic growth and
diversification in the Prairie provinces and advance the interests
of the region in national economic policy, programs, and projects.
PrairiesCan is leading the Government of Canada’s Framework to
Build a Green Prairie Economy, which is a long-term commitment to
work differently, through stronger coordination among federal
departments on investments for the Prairies and closer
collaboration with Prairie partners on their priorities for a
prosperous and sustainable Prairie economy that leaves no one
behind. PrairiesCan funding for this production and testing
facility is being delivered through the Regional Innovation
Ecosystems program. This program creates, grows, and nurtures
inclusive regional ecosystems that support what a business needs to
innovate from start to finish and provides an environment where
companies can innovate, grow, and compete. Learn more on the
PrairiesCan website.
Alberta Innovates manages nearly
1,300 projects in a portfolio valued at $1.33 billion. We work with
innovators in all sectors of the economy and all corners of the
province to drive entrepreneurship, applied research and industry
development. With our impact-based funding programs and services,
we are transforming energy systems for a net-zero world, promoting
the responsible use of land and water, leveraging provincial
strengths in agriculture, and contributing to improved health and
well-being by harnessing digital tech and data. We are also
advancing emerging technologies and strengthening entrepreneurship
for a strong and diversified economy. We operate in 11 locations
with more than one million sq. ft. of industrial testing and lab
facilities, and 600 acres of farmland. We employ nearly 600 highly
skilled scientists, business and technical professionals. From
funding to commercialization, we are Alberta’s innovation engine!
See what entrepreneurs say about our coaching and
support. Learn how Alberta Innovates.
Media Contact: |
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Dwayne Brunner | Senior Manager, Media and Strategic Community
RelationsAlberta Innovates | (587) 572-4091 |
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