Canada’s New Government Announces R&D; Investment in Environment-Friendly Vehicle Parts Manufacturing

OTTAWA, Ontario, December 6, 2006 — The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry today announced a $1.7 million repayable investment in a research and development (R&D) project that will generate environmental benefits for Canadians. This $5.8 million project will be undertaken by Camoplast Inc. and will reduce atmospheric emissions, decrease energy consumption and waste, and increase productivity by introducing a more efficient way to manufacture composite parts for vehicles.

“Canada's New Government encourages traditional industries to find innovative ways to become more efficient and lessen their impact on the environment,” said Minister Bernier. “This project demonstrates Camoplast's leadership in the industry by affirming its continued commitment to environmental stewardship while maintaining a top position in the market.”

This investment in Camoplast, which is headquartered in Sherbrooke, Quebec, will help the company to complement its existing manufacturing process with a more efficient Camoplast Long Fibers (CLF) process to mould composite parts for recreational vehicles, heavy trucks, and agricultural equipment. While this technology currently exists for manufacturing small parts, the company is adapting it to suit its needs, enabling the production of larger parts.

The adoption of this innovative technology by Camoplast will make it possible to produce parts with a procedure that will generate business opportunities by opening up new markets. The use of automation and robotization will boost the company's productivity while reducing energy consumption and waste and minimizing environmental impacts.

“Camoplast is delighted that the Government of Canada is taking part in this development project,” said Luc Janelle, Vice President and Director General of Camoplast Composite Solutions. “To survive, companies have to be innovative. This motivates us to offer clients new complementary solutions that will help create jobs while having a positive impact on the environment.”

The investment is being made through Technology Partnerships Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, using a new model contribution agreement that emphasizes enhanced transparency and accountability.

See backgrounder for further details on this project.

For more information, please contact:

Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
(613) 995-9001

Media Relations
Industry Canada
(613) 943-2502