Government of Canada Supports Innovation in Automotive Sector

The Government of Canada supports the development of new transformative manufacturing processes and clean technologies that aim to make Canada a global centre for innovation and have the potential to reduce carbon emissions.

To this end, it is investing in two innovative Canadian companies: Astrex Inc. and GBatteries Energy Canada Inc.

Astrex Inc.

Astrex Inc. (Astrex), established in 2015, is located in Lakeshore, Ontario. It is a joint venture between Ontario-based CanArt Aluminum Extrusion Inc. (CanArt), and the Netherlands-based multinational Constellium N.V. (Constellium). CanArt is a privately-held company that produces a wide range of aluminum products and employs 375 people. Constellium is a leading European company that produces aluminum products for the automotive industry, with 22 facilities and 11,000 employees worldwide.

Astrex Inc. is receiving a repayable contribution of up to $17 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). The investment will help to establish a first-of-its-kind aluminum automotive structural parts manufacturing facility in North America. This investment will create 62 new full-time jobs and will help protect the environment. The new auto parts produced will help reduce vehicle weight, lower fuel consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

The support, being provided through FedDev Ontario’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund, is a critical part of Astrex’s $63.6-million, four-year project to produce crash management systems in vehicles. Astrex will undertake a two-phased project to design, equip and operate a state-of-the-art facility in Lakeshore, Ontario, close to Windsor. The total project will be funded by FedDev Ontario (up to $17 million), the Government of Ontario ($1.5 million), through Astrex’s corporate partners, CanArt Aluminum Extrusion Inc., Constellium ($10.4 million), and other private sector financing ($34.7 million).

FedDev Ontario will be funding the first phase of the project and will support the purchase and installation of specially-designed equipment that will see Astrex bring its first manufacturing line into operation in March of this year.

GBatteries Energy Canada Inc.

GBatteries Energy Canada Inc., a technology company established in 2012, is located in Ottawa, Ontario. In this project, GBatteries will be working with two consortium partners, eCAMION and S&C Electric Canada Ltd., to implement and demonstrate an Active Battery Management System (ActiveBMS), a charging technology for application with electric vehicles.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is providing $1,185,000 towards GBatteries to assist them in implementing and demonstrating the Active Battery Management System (ActiveBMS). This is an innovative technology that will enhance battery life and increase battery charging rates by at least six times over conventional methods.

This technology will greatly improve batteries used in consumer electronics, cordless power tools, and electric vehicles and allow for faster charging with no adverse effect on battery performance.

GBatteries is embarking on a project to demonstrate and implement its innovative technology that will allow a battery to be charged 50 per cent in five minutes and 80 per cent in 10 minutes. The charging speed will be of particular use in electric vehicles, as this technology has the potential to reduce charging times to the time it takes to fill up traditional fuel tanks. This technology has the potential to move electric vehicles into the mainstream of consumer purchasing options.

For more information, visit:
GBatteries Energy Canada Inc.

FedDev Ontario’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund (AMF)

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for southern Ontario. Its programs and services support economic benefits for the region, contributing to a strong and prosperous province and country.

The AMF was launched on December 9, 2013, with a mandate to invest in innovation and boost productivity in Ontario’s manufacturing sector. It seeks to increase the development of transformative products and technologies to help Ontario manufactures create high-quality jobs and, in turn, help Canada compete globally.

The AMF supports investments that create new and innovative products or production methods, with commercialization within five years.

For more information, visit:
FedDev Ontario
Advanced Manufacturing Fund

Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is an arm’s-length foundation created by the Government of Canada to promote sustainable development and support projects that develop and demonstrate new clean technologies to address issues related to climate change, air quality, and clean water and soil. Sustainable Development Technology Canada invests in Canadian companies that contribute positively to Canada by creating quality jobs, driving economic growth and protecting the environment.

For more information, please visit:
Sustainable Development Technology Canada

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