Accelerating Québec’s Advanced Materials Innovation
According to recent reports, PRIMA Québec is driving substantial innovation in advanced materials across multiple sectors including energy, transport, health, and defense. Sources indicate that under the leadership of CEO Marie-Pierre Ippersiel, the organization has positioned itself as a catalyst between industrial and research communities to promote collaborative innovation throughout Québec’s advanced materials ecosystem.
Substantial Economic Impact Through Collaborative Projects
The report states that over the past decade (2015-2025), PRIMA Québec has funded more than 200 projects with a total value of C$196 million. These initiatives have reportedly involved over 310 industrial partners and 34 academic institutions, generating 494 scientific publications and 111 intellectual property assets including patents and licenses. Analysts suggest this collaborative approach has trained over 900 highly qualified personnel, ensuring knowledge transfer to companies seeking specialized expertise.
Additive Manufacturing as a Strategic Priority
Sources indicate that additive manufacturing represents a core focus area for Québec’s advanced materials strategy. According to the analysis, 3D printing technologies are considered disruptive with significant potential to reduce time to market while enabling flexible manufacturing methods. The 2020 White Paper on additive manufacturing reportedly identified strategic orientations to position Québec as a global technological leader in this sector.
PRIMA Québec has reportedly established the Carrefour québécois de la fabrication additive (CQFA) as a structuring project to stimulate development of Québec’s additive manufacturing ecosystem. The initiative reportedly targets all stakeholders including manufacturers, researchers, and professionals while addressing every aspect of additive manufacturing from materials and processes to training and skills development.
Notable Project Successes
Advanced Photonic Devices Development
A collaboration between Université du Québec à Montréal, AEPONYX, and INRS-EMT has reportedly developed advanced nanomanufacturing processes for integrated silicon nitride photonic devices. According to reports, this research addresses growing demands for improved capacity, quality, and energy efficiency in internet-connected devices. The project reportedly resulted in a new generation of optical chips that are more affordable, compact, and energy-efficient, while strengthening AEPONYX’s patent portfolio to 34 patents.
The collaboration was reportedly instrumental in training students with advanced design and nanomanufacturing skills, with six graduates joining the AEPONYX team. Furthermore, sources indicate the company successfully raised C$21 million to launch its commercialization phase and is planning to become a key player in Bromont’s innovation zone, Technum, where it intends to develop a semiconductor supply chain.
Open-Source 3D Printing Technology
A research group led by the National Research Council of Canada and Polytechnique Montréal has reportedly partnered with numerous industrial companies to create open-source 3D printing technology. According to the report, this initiative addresses limitations of current commercial 3D printing technologies, which are typically closed-source and restrict users to proprietary materials.
The project reportedly made significant strides by creating innovative thermoplastic composites for 3D printing and improving part quality through a radiation heating system that optimizes interlayer adhesion. The effort ultimately yielded nine innovative technologies and eight new products, significantly enhancing the fused filament fabrication process for higher-performance industrial applications.
International Collaboration Through Horizon Europe
Canada’s collaboration with Horizon Europe reportedly enables PRIMA to lead and participate directly in large-scale research consortia addressing global challenges like climate, energy, and health. Sources indicate that PRIMA can build upon previous partnerships with European entities through co-funded programmes like M-ERA.NET3 and ERA-MIN3.
PRIMA has reportedly become an associate member of the Innovative Advanced Materials for Europe Partnership, dedicated to advancing the design, development, and uptake of innovative advanced materials to support Europe’s green and digital transitions. According to analysts, this international collaboration allows researchers to combine global expertise, resources, and funding to tackle large-scale challenges that are too complex for any single entity to solve.
Strategic Focus on Defense and Critical Minerals
Advanced materials are reportedly essential for defense applications, improving the performance, survivability, and capabilities of military equipment and personnel. According to reports, these materials impact everything from aircraft and warships to soldier protection and weaponry.
PRIMA recently published a report titled “Developing and securing value chains for microelectronics and photonics in Québec,” which indicates that optical sensors, lasers, semiconductors, and quantum technologies all rely on advanced materials. The organization is reportedly expected to roll out another research and innovation support programme for the circular economy applied to critical and strategic materials.
Global Context and Competitive Positioning
According to a bibliometric and technometric study on research and innovation in advanced materials in Québec, collaboration is crucial for advancement. The report suggests that Canada performs very well in international collaboration metrics, ranking sixth among countries with the highest rates of international or public-private collaboration, and seventh among countries with the highest rate of highly multidisciplinary publications.
As Canada seeks to achieve technological sovereignty in the current geopolitical context, analysts suggest that collaborative innovation approaches represent the best way to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. PRIMA Québec reportedly intends to support this effort with assistance from other sector-based industrial research clusters such as CRIAQ and PROMPT.
The advanced materials sector in Québec appears positioned for continued growth, with reports indicating strong foundations in key areas including additive manufacturing through companies like AP&C and Tekna, which are reportedly among the world’s largest manufacturers of metal powders for additive manufacturing. The comprehensive approach to ecosystem development, combined with strategic international partnerships, suggests Québec is establishing itself as a significant global player in advanced materials innovation.
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