Circular economy and biodegradable materials

The global manufacturing industry is under increased pressure to meet the net-zero waste and carbon neutrality goals set by Canada and other jurisdictions. However, plastic waste remains a critical global issue for our environment.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, only 9% of the 4 million tons of plastic waste discarded each year in Canada is recycled.

Our expertise

To help Canadian industry adopt more sustainable products and manufacturing processes, our Automotive and Surface Transportation Research Centre uses its unique research and development (R&D) capabilities to support the manufacturing sector's transition to net-zero waste and to scale up Canada's response to climate change.

Through our Advanced Manufacturing program, NRC experts are developing transformative and sustainable technologies to cost-effectively manage end-of-life plastic waste, while promoting circularity through the creation of value-added products.

Through strategic collaborations, our team is focused on testing and developing innovative technologies in the following 4 pillars for R&D:

• Eco-responsible materials: Fully or partially replace fossil-based plastics with bio-based and recycled plastics, and design materials to facilitate end-of-life recycling
• Plastic alternative solutions: Use fibre such as pulp and paper, and starch and lignin without significant chemical modification
• Effective recycling processes: Use the mechanical, chemical or physical method that is appropriate for each type of plastic product
• Biodegradable materials: Use biodegradable materials for applications that cannot be recycled, such as industrial composting, soil and marine biodegradation, from the materials development stage to the biodegradation evaluation

Programs

Discover NRC programs that support Canada's goals:

• Advanced Manufacturing program

Facilities and labs

The NRC's facilities and labs can help you develop, test and validate your technologies:

• Advanced manufacturing research facility
• Aluminium technology centre
• Polymer, composite and biomaterial processing and testing
• Biodegradation capabilities

Why work with us

Our specialized expertise ranges from modeling and prototype testing to demonstrations, data analysis and consulting. Our experts and facilities are dedicated to circular economy and biodegradable materials.

• Research and development: Alone as a service or in a joint effort, our expertise and capabilities can help you materialize your most strategic innovation
• Technical services: Our expertise can help test, mature, validate or certify your technology and take it to the next level