Canada is the world’s second-largest exporter of primary aluminium and the Government of Canada has made all aspects of natural resources a science and technology priority. Progress on that priority is demonstrated by the strong presence of NRC in the “Aluminium Valley”, Quebec’s Saguenay region, where a vibrant technology cluster is moving beyond primary aluminium production to develop and export innovative, value-added aluminium products. Well-established companies and new ones are investing in opportunities generated by science and technology — with NRC helping to accelerate that effort.

NRC Technology Cluster Initiatives 2009 - Community Innovation, Economic Gain

The National Research Council (NRC) is meeting the Government of Canada commitment to generate economic growth through support for scientific and technological innovation. NRC partners with universities, industry and all levels of government to build dynamic technology clusters in communities across the country. By fostering world-class R&D with a clear focus on stimulating economic opportunities, NRC research facilities and skilled people accelerate locally-led innovation. The results: new knowledge, new skills, new partnerships and new businesses that are boosting the economy of Canada and its communities through success in markets around the world.

Investing in the community

In the late 1990s, NRC targeted Saguenay as Canada’s most promising investment site for pioneering aluminium transformation R&D. The reason: more than 90 percent of Canada’s aluminium production is within 400 kilometres of Saguenay. In 2002, NRC constructed its state-of-the-art research facility in Saguenay to serve as a hub for the region’s most enterprising researchers. NRC’s R&D facility in Saguenay provides cluster stakeholders with wide-ranging support as they explore and then capitalize on profitable ways to transform aluminium into the durable, lightweight components that many industries want.

Building critical partnerships

A key element of the Government of Canada’s Science and Technology Strategy is to foster more private sector investment in S&T. NRC has nurtured key partnerships with Saguenay aluminium transformation stakeholders that are already generating those kinds of added investments. These partnerships also play a critical role as NRC stimulates groundbreaking research, disseminates world-leading knowledge, and helps to commercialize promising technologies.

Attracting top-flight talent

Located at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, NRC’s $57 million research facility is becoming a magnet for talent. The NRC Aluminium Technology Centre provides pioneering companies with technical support, expertise and lab facilities to develop value-added aluminium products and processes. It is a base for 60 NRC staff and 20 guest researchers who are generating a knowledge advantage for this cluster.

"This NRC centre is a prime example of what can be accomplished when the region pulls together to work toward a common goal. It ensures the region of the kind of environment that is conducive to aluminium transformation."

Michel Belley, Rector, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Making cars lighter

A commitment to greater energy efficiency, improved durability and better performance means the auto parts industry offers a massive market for aluminium transformation technologies. Auto giants such as General Motors now seek out reliable, lightweight aluminium parts that can be up to 40 percent lighter than their steel counterparts — and look to Saguenay for innovations to help them reach their goals. As a result, the amount of aluminium used to manufacture cars has risen by more than 130 percent since 1998.

Targeting success

The Saguenay cluster is focused on the most achievable and potentially lucrative goals that will build the strongest competitive advantage for the region. NRC’s strategic plan for this cluster targets two broad categories for special attention.

Advanced forming is one category. NRC supports researchers and emerging companies as they experiment with producing lightweight, usable parts from solid aluminium through innovative approaches to die-casting, hydroforming and other processes. The second category is joining (assembling) technologies. This involves NRC-supported research and development into laser and friction stir-welding, adhesive bonding and the mechanical assembly of aluminium parts.

NRC provides support in many ways for both categories. Advanced computer modelling and state-of-the-art instrumentation are giving the cluster the critical mass of knowledge, research and tools to support the development and commercialization of pioneering ideas.

Transforming technology into business

NRC offers strategic services that help businesses to develop and commercialize their science and technology innovations for marketplace success and growth.

Assisting with industrial research

The NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada. It provides technological and business advice and expertise, along with potential financial support to R&D-oriented companies, including those operating in NRC’s cluster initiatives.

NRC-IRAP has helped link several clients to expertise at the NRC Aluminium Technology Centre in such areas as aluminium heat treatment, laser welding and aluminium metallurgy. For example, NRC-IRAP supported a firm focused on technologies for the specialized field of aluminium parts for high-performance bicycles. It has enabled collaborative projects between firms investigating such areas as aluminium forming, aluminium laser welding, friction stir welding and aluminium hydroforming. Moreover, NRC-IRAP is extensively involved with Quebec’s Trans-Al Network Inc., a group of more than 120 technology-focused SMEs.

Information intelligence helps Canada’s innovators turn knowledge into commercial applications

As Canada's national science library, the NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI) provides access to global science, technology, engineering and medical information.

NRC's information specialists and technical business analysts in Saguenay leverage their access to this information to provide critical information services that clients need to position their activities strategically, optimize R&D investments, and generate commercially successful outcomes. To do this, they offer many services:

• technology commercialization intelligence
• information research and analysis
• patent landscape analysis
• groundbreaking technical information
• cutting-edge industry and market information
• rapid delivery of up-to-date full text articles from online sources
• referrals to industry experts or organizations.

Fostering collaboration

NRC has signed collaborative R&D partnerships with several local small and medium-sized enterprises, and with industry giants such as Rio Tinto Alcan, General Motors and Novelis.

NRC has also negotiated collaborative agreements with Canadian universities to conduct groundbreaking aluminium transformation R&D. It has contracts with the University of Waterloo and the University of Toronto — with General Motors Canada as their industrial partner — and with Laval University and the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

NRC's cluster partners

• Rio Tinto Alcan Inc.
• Alcoa Canada Primary Metals
• Aluminerie Alouette Inc.
• Aluminium Association of Canada
• Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium
• Trans-Al Network Inc., an association of aluminium parts manufacturers
• REGAL Aluminium Research Centre — university aluminium research network
• Société de la Vallée de l’aluminium, a business development organization
• Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
• Canada Economic Development
• Government of Québec

Milestones in Cluster Progress

2000 - NRC develops Aluminium Industry Technology Roadmap

2001 - NRC commits to building the NRC Aluminium Technology Centre (NRC-ATC) in the Saguenay region

2002 - Government of Canada invests an initial $27 million towards the Aluminium cluster initiative in Saguenay

2003 - NRC-ATC opens its doors

2007 - Canadian Aluminium Transformation Technology Roadmap launched

2008 - Government of Canada announces a $27 million reinvestment in NRC's aluminium transformation cluster initiative

NRC Technology Cluster Initiatives

Global Reach - Local Touch

NRC plays a pivotal role in building a competitive advantage for Canada, based on science and technology strengths in communities across the country. The NRC commitment to fostering clusters has made it a catalyst for technological progress and economic growth in every region of Canada. NRC's successful clustering model encourages local entrepreneurial and people advantages, while leveraging the knowledge advantages of NRC - capitalizing on its national and international resources, science and technology capabilities, networks and partnerships. This proven approach supports each cluster based on its unique needs, opportunities and challenges, with NRC as the cluster's flexible and determined partner.

Committed leadership

Innovative companies often develop around a government research institution or a university that attracts highly-skilled researchers. However, successful clusters need more. They need staying power, often taking decades to mature. They must be community-driven and focused on market opportunities - with the support of effective networks and committed local champions.

NRC has distinguished itself as an effective leader in cluster development. It provides not only R&D expertise, but also the leadership, information and linkages that innovators need to generate ideas and then move their research from the lab to the marketplace. Its diverse strengths mean that NRC makes a range of contributions, tailored to individual community strengths and needs.

Delivering results

Clusters across Canada are generating results as critical masses of skilled people, capital and entrepreneurial drive come together to create beneficial technologies for markets around the world. NRC cluster initiatives help strengthen the economies of their home communities as well as Canada's economy. They benefit from community partnerships that look forward with confidence, based on building local scientific and innovation capacity and a competitive business environment.

Great People, Great Minds

Recognized globally for cutting-edge research and innovation, NRC helps Canada create a world-class, knowledge-based economy. NRC is home to nearly 4,000 creative and skilled people held in highest regard by their colleagues and collabo­rators worldwide. NRC employees have earned international acclaim for excellence and for winning innovations - their honours include a Nobel Prize, an Academy Award, and helping Canada capture Olympic gold.

NRC Cluster Initiatives

• Vancouver - Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies
• Edmonton - Nanotechnology
• Saskatoon - Plants for Health and Wellness
• Regina - Sustainable Infrastructure
• Winnipeg - Biomedical Technologies
• Ottawa - Photonics
• Saguenay - Aluminium Transformation
• Fredericton/Moncton - IT and e-Business
• Halifax - Life Sciences
• Charlottetown - Nutrisciences and Health
• St. John's - Ocean Technology

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/atc

National Research Council Canada
1200 Montreal Road
Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6
Tel: 613-993-9101
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

NRC Aluminium Technology Centre (NRC-ATC)
501 Université Blvd. E.
Saguenay (Chicoutimi), QC G7H 8C3
Tel: 418-545-5544
Email: jean-pierre.martin@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca

NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
Tel: 1-877-994-4727
www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/irap

NRC Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI)
Tel: 1-800-668-1222
Contact us using the online form