The federal government says it is committed to a “carbon-neutral future” as the nation tilts toward the target of a “net-zero economy” by 2050.
One recent expression of this commitment is a $17.5 million investment into Giatec Scientific through Canada’s Strategic Innovation Fund.
The sizeable expenditure aims to support a $66M project from Giatec: sensor technologies that use artificial intelligence to optimize concrete mixtures, resulting in “a reduced carbon footprint while improving the quality of building materials used for Canadian infrastructure.”
“By leveraging technological innovation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improving building materials quality, we can drive efficiencies that lower construction costs, making projects more affordable and profitable for our construction industry,” posits the federal minister of innovation and industry, François-Philippe Champagne.
Giatec intends to develop a smart concrete demonstration plant in Ottawa. This plant is estimated to create 160 “good-paying jobs” according to a statement from the Canadian government.
“This groundbreaking platform will deliver tremendous value to various stakeholders across the industry, including cement, aggregate and admixture producers, ready-mix suppliers, construction companies and infrastructure owners,” stated Giatec chief executive officer Pouria Ghods.
Giatec Scientific was founded in 2011 with a mission to bring “knowledge-based and sustainable technologies” to the concrete industry.
“Our vision is to revolutionize the concrete industry and help build more sustainable, efficient and durable infrastructure, while positioning Canada as a global leader in clean, innovative technologies,” said Ghods.
The firm’s “SmartMix” platform is the flagship innovation that Giatec believes will lead to the development, deployment, and commercialization of technologies that can be used to monitor concrete throughout its life cycle.
The Strategic Innovation Fund provides investments into projects that grow Canada’s economy.
