FPInnovations has opened its NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC) research facilities, which include two new Pointe-Claire research labs, a new highly efficient equipment for the lab in Québec City and a modern pilot plant.
The Pointe-Claire labs are mainly for NCC chemistry and for the classification of nanocomposites and NCC. At the Québec City lab, the newly deployed equipment is utilized for the advancement of wood materials used in the composite, structural and appearance of the wood products market.
The pilot plant, which has a manufacturing capacity of 3 kg/day, features state-of-the-art equipment that facilitates the realization of research outputs into mass-scale production. The plant is also equipped with prevention measures and automatic control measures to ensure safety and health.
The research facilities will be used for the manufacturing of NCCs in required amounts in order meet the growing demands of the various research groups of FPInnovations as well as other companies and external groups. New grades of NCC will be developed at the facilities. The commercialization of the NCCs being developed at the facilities will be done through the partnership with the Domtar-FPInnovations joint venture.
The total amount invested in the purchase of research device and the research facilities construction was $4.1 million. The de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation du Québec and Ministère du Développement économique funded 80% of the cost, while the remaining amount was funded by Natural Resources Canada through its Transformative Technologies Program.
Source: http://www.fpinnovations.ca