NGen introduces $100M Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge; calls for project proposals

Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) has launched a new call for project proposals for its Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge. The organization shares in a press statement that these projects will aim to accelerate the application of Canadian cleantech and other advanced technologies to improve the environmental sustainability of Canadian manufacturing.

NGen will invest up to $35 million of Global Innovation Cluster funding and will raise more than $65 million from industry to launch $100 million in new collaborative projects.

According to NGen, the Sustainable Manufacturing Challenge is seeking projects that will support Canada’s path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and target challenges like emissions reduction.

These include:

• Reduction of energy usage and natural resource consumption.
• Operational efficiency gains.
• Waste reduction.
• Use of recycled and sustainable materials.
• Full life cycle product management and closed loop manufacturing.
• Circular manufacturing of materials.

Projects must reportedly be collaborative and transformative, promising to push the boundaries of advanced manufacturing technology and world-class cleantech. Focus areas should include:

• Low carbon – fuel, feedstock, energy – applied to manufacturing.
• Implementation of net-zero facilities.
• Innovative solutions for high heat generation – applied to manufacturing.
• Carbon capture, utilization and storage – applied to manufacturing.
• Tracking and managing GHG emissions across the supply chain.
• Smart manufacturing for efficiency gains and GHG reduction.
• Greener/circular/sustainable materials.
• Other – contact smc@ngen.ca to validate eligibility.

“Advanced manufacturing offers many of the solutions necessary to achieve Canada’s emission reduction goals,” said Jayson Myers, CEO of NGen. “NGen is looking to combine our tremendous strengths in cleantech, automation, advanced materials and smart digital technologies to develop solutions for sustainable manufacturing that will benefit Canada and the world.”