Nanotechnology and new materials

Nanotechnology and new materials

Contact

Eric Kucharsky Project Manager
Europe & ICT + 1 514 987-9357

General Industry Profile

Greater Montréal is recognized worldwide for its expertise in advanced technology, notably in the aerospace, life sciences and information and communications technologies (ICT) sectors. These state-of-the-art sectors present significant business opportunities for companies involved in nanotechnologies, which have experienced sustained development in Greater Montréal over the last few years.


Key Figures

  • Some 150 university researchers
  • More than 10 highly specialized research groups
  • Nearly 500 post-doctoral trainees and graduates
  • More than 30 innovative companies
  • Benefits of the Region


Labour

  • Greater Montréal holds a coveted place on the North American knowledge scene. It ranks 1st among the largest metropolises of North America for its number of university students per capita, thanks to eleven universities, including four major general vocational universities.
  • In 2007, university disciplines in higher technology represented more than 6,000 graduates, including nearly 1,800 master's and doctoral students. 27,000 new students were registered, including nearly 6,500 in master's and doctoral programs.
  • More specifically, in Greater Montréal, there are currently nearly 200 professor-researchers in nanotechnologies, both on the fundamental and applied science sides.
  • Furthermore, numerous collegiate-level institutions have developed specialized programs in nanotechnologies. These programs target the training of versatile technicians with a high level of skills in the sectors of application targeted by nanotechnologies.


R&D

Greater Montréal, Canada's capital for innovation relies on the presence of numerous research centres in the nanotechnology sector to benefit from its significant infrastructure and technological transfer network. 

The metropolis' nanotechnology researchers come from various backgrounds such as physics, chemistry, engineering, biotechnology and medicine.

  • Several research groups are present in Greater Montréal, including:
  • Thin Film Physics and Technology Research Centre (GCM)
  • The Centre for the physics of materials (CPM)
  • The Centre for Biorecognition and Biosensors (CBB)]
  • The GCM central facilitiesThe Nanotools Facilities
  • The Infrastructure of Nanostructure and Femtoscience (INF)
  • The Armand-Bombardier Incubator
  • The Industrial Materials Institute (IMI) of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC)
  • The Biotechnology Research Institute of the National Research Council of Canada (BRI-NRC)


Incentives

Companies working in the new materials and nanotechnologies sector benefit from a specific federal government support program: the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI).

The governments of Canada and Québec offer numerous tax incentives to companies in the new materials and nanotechnologies sectors, including up to 20% in tax credits for R&D from the federal government, and 17.5% from the Québec government.

In addition to the tax credits for R&D, numerous other financial and tax incentives are offered to companies. Please contact us to determine if you are eligible for one of the following programs:

  • Financial aid for the creation of jobs and training
  • Tax holidays for foreign experts and researchers
  • Investment plan feasibility study
  • Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
  • Strategic Investment Support Program [Programme d’appui stratégique à l’investissement (PASI)]
  • Economic Projects Support Program [Programme de soutien aux projets économiques (PSPE)]
  • PR@M Industry

Companies from the new materials and nanotechnologies sector may also benefit from a financial aid program from NanoQuébec for industry-university collaborative projects.


Costs 

According to the study Competitive Choices conducted by KPMG in 2008, regarding costs, Greater Montréal offers a business environment that is among the most competitive  and cost-effective in North America. In fact, Montréal ranks first among the 20 largest centres of Canada and the United States for  lowest total operating costs, taking into account labour costs, industrial and office space costs and energy costs.

The excellent quality-to-cost ratio offered in Greater Montréal is:

  • A strategic asset because selecting an establishment site is strongly linked to the cost and especially during a period of economic downturn
  • An incentive for companies that are looking for a site close to major North American markets
  • A significant advantage for companies in the R&D sectors, dbecause of  the generous tax incentives offered by the governments of Québec and Canada


KeyLeaders

  • Adtek Photomask
  • Biophage Pharma
  • Biosyntech
  • Nanoledge
  • Nanométrix
  • Quantumodeling
  • Raymor Industries
  • Supratek Pharma