Pointe-Claire - Canada's ArboraNano has just launched nine research and development projects using forest nanomaterials -- in improved polyurethane foams, nanocomposites and innovative paper grades.
Seven of these projects will involve what Pointe-Claire, Quebec-based ArboraNano calls "non-toxic and environmentally-friendly nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)."
Projects in the automotive industry aim to develop performance-enhancing additives for polyurethane foam and construction products, particularly for load bearing in seat cushion foam, ArboraNano's 10 May announcement said.
Researchers will also investigate NCC as a potential performance-enhancing agent in other polymers used in automotive and construction products.
"So far, ArboraNano has been working on some very promising projects with partners in the oil and gas, printing, and wood coatings industries," said Ron Crotogino, president and ceo of ArboraNano, in the company statement.
Adding the new projects "reflects our strong commitment to encouraging cross-sector R&D in support of the development of global competitive products by Canadian manufacturers, and to revitalising the Canadian forestry sector," he continued.
ArboraNano will contribute $3.35 million of the funding with matching contributions from industry and provincial organisations.
Projects will be carried out over the next two years by industrial scientists and engineers from the pulp and paper, automotive, machinery and engineering sectors, as well as researchers from Canadian universities and Canadian research institutes.
ArboraNano is a member of Canada's Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program.
The industrial groups involved are: Woodbridge Foam Corp., Kruger, Bio Vision Technology Inc., Groupe Laperriere & Verreault Inc., Tembec, Noram Engineering and Constructors Ltd, and FPInnovations are the industrial partners involved in the projects.
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