Canada’s construction industry has experienced strong growth for several years, a trend that has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth is driven by high levels of immigration and increasing demand for housing, as well as the urgent need to replace aging infrastructure. To meet these challenges, there is growing demand for cost-effective, durable materials […]
Self-healing materials (also referred to as autonomous healing materials or self-healing/self-repair materials) are a class of materials capable of repairing damage autonomously, without human intervention, after sustaining mechanical or structural degradation.¹ While most research has focused on polymers—including thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers—as well as composite materials, self-healing concepts have also been successfully applied to a
Self-Healing Materials: Towards a New Era of Durability Read More »
In an industry dominated by digital technology, Le Vinylist embodies a bold vision and a passion for authenticity. Founded in 2019 by two visionary brothers, this unique manufacturing company has become a true Quebec success story by breathing new life into a timeless technology: the vinyl record. Le Vinylist is much more than a vinyl
Le Vinylist: Quebec Innovation at the Intersection of the Polymer Industry and Music Read More »
The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly evident across our societies. To address this major societal challenge, many jurisdictions around the world have committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Reaching this objective will require significant efforts from researchers, industry, governments, and consumers alike. The pathways that will enable Québec—and Canada more broadly—to achieve
Decarbonizing the economy: everyone’s responsibility Read More »
Interview with Benoit Labbé, Senior Director of Partnerships and Ecosystems at the Conseil de l’innovation du Québec Innovation is essential for every business, regardless of its size or industry. It is a key driver of competitiveness, growth, and long-term sustainability. Often underestimated, innovation extends far beyond technology, encompassing areas such as human resources management, organizational
The Underestimated Importance of Innovation for Businesses Read More »
Interview with the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) According to the OECD Oslo Manual, innovation is defined as a new or significantly improved product, process, or practice that has been implemented or commercialized and generates real value for a business, its users, or society. Consequently, while activities such as research and development (R&D),
Excellence Clusters and ERACs: Accelerating Business Innovation Read More »
In an industrial landscape that is constantly evolving, manufacturers in the plastics and composites industry—including mold makers—face a critical challenge: how can they remain competitive in the face of globalization and rapid technological advances? Automation and robotics are often perceived as complex, costly solutions reserved for large corporations. However, this perception is frequently rooted in
The field of polymers is constantly evolving, as an enormous amount of research and development is being carried out worldwide at various levels (academic, governmental, and industrial). Although most of this work focuses on formulations (additives, reinforcements, blends, etc.), efforts are still being made to develop new molecules and/or families of resins. This is the
Vitrimers: A New Generation of Polymers Revolutionizing Recyclability and Durability Read More »
It’s deeply ingrained in our minds: when we think of solar energy, the first technology that comes to mind is photovoltaics—the well-known method of generating electricity from solar panels. This technology is widely deployed and experiencing remarkable growth. Take, for example, the city of Lac-Mégantic, which launched Quebec’s first microgrid in 2021. This system includes
With its Plan for a Green Economy, the Government of Québec has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37.5% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels (1). Achieving this objective will require significant efforts, particularly in the transportation sector, which accounts for 44% of total emissions. In this context, green hydrogen—producing neither
