The Government of Canada is supporting the Université de Sherbrooke to help the university acquire and install new green technology at Granby-based Carredfour d’innovation en technologies écologiques (CITÉ) and in its Faculty of Engineering.
The university has several research and technology transfer centres, including CITÉ, a joint initiative with the Ville de Granby. Since 2015, this collaborative research centre, with its unique environment, has been specializing in developing ecomaterials and products from these ecomaterials.
Two families of materials are developed and harnessed there: those based on biomasses and those based on residual materials. Thanks to its cutting-edge infrastructure, CITÉ offers technical and research and development services to manufacturing and high-tech businesses.
To strengthen CITÉ’s innovation and technology transfer capabilities in the clean tech field, the university aims to enhance its infrastructure by bringing in advanced technologies for the pre-development, development and characterization of ecomaterials.
This project will lead to the creation of two full-time-equivalent jobs and 14 student internships by 2023 and will enable CITÉ to continue to work with SMEs and accelerate clean tech innovation. It will also help to strengthen Quebec’s position in the advanced materials industry.
To complete this project, the Université de Sherbrooke will receive a non-repayable contribution of $800,000 from Canada Economic Development (CED) for Quebec Regions.
“We must support the entrepreneurial spirit, especially when our entrepreneurs’ ingenuity and know–how lead directly to the development of green technologies,” said Élisabeth Brière, Member of Parliament for Sherbrooke and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. “The Université de Sherbrooke project is strategic in strengthening Quebec’s innovation ecosystem and accelerating the growth of businesses working to develop or integrate ecomaterials. Bravo on this initiative coming out of the Cantons-de-l’Est!”
This Université de Sherbrooke project aligns with Government of Canada priorities around clean growth and a sustainable recovery.
“We are here to support workers and Canadian SMEs. We are helping businesses to equip themselves with what they need to come through the crisis stronger by becoming greener. With Government of Canada financial assistance, the Université de Sherbrooke will be able to acquire equipment for its high-tech research centre, to the benefit of Quebec SMEs, and create quality jobs,” said Mélanie Joly, Member of Parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for CED. “By helping SMEs to become more innovative and competitive and by offering our support for innovation to develop clean technologies, we are preparing Canadians for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”
Federal funds have been granted under CED’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program.
