At the beginning of October, the Kemitek research center received $580,000 in funding from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. This contribution to the organization affiliated with the CEGEP of Thetford Mines is part of Ottawa’s effort to contribute to innovation, as well as the development of green technologies and products.

Concretely, Kemitek will use this amount to acquire new, highly specialized equipment in its field of expertise, namely “green chemistry and the scaling up of chemical processes”.

“Some equipment has already been acquired and installed,” says David Berthiaume, general manager of Kemitek. For example, a new reactor that allows reactions to be carried out in continuous flow instead of doing them separately. It is a device that allows chemistry to be carried out at laboratory level. »

The non-profit organization, which is one of 59 college technology transfer centers (CCTT) in the province, works closely with Quebec SMEs. On site, its equipment is available to carry out “process scaling”, transferring the process from a pilot plant in the laboratory to real production in a commercial plant.

For the year 2022-2023, Kemitek contributed to innovation and research for 61 local and international clients, 80% of which are SMEs. The remaining 20% ​​are large companies.

“We support them every step of the way,” describes Mr. Berthiaume. The company will then be able to show its sales and convince investors to bet on its infrastructure. »

Founded in 2003, the center has annual revenue of $3.5 million. Owning equipment worth approximately 20 million, it has benefited from several subsidies – provincial and federal – which have allowed it to evolve significantly over the years.

“We started in an office at CEGEP: two chairs, two desks, no computer, with a dream and the vision of creating a research center of international caliber,” he says with a smile.

In his eyes, the environmental approach is crucial. Reduction of energy consumed and emissions, use of organic materials, processes to reduce waste… Kemitek has a dozen strategic notions which are used to make all its projects more ecological.

For him, it is “essential” to devote himself to the fight against climate change to the best of his knowledge. “We provide part of the solution to the puzzle,” he thinks. We won’t reduce everything on our own, but what we manage to do, we are very proud of that. »

Soraya Martinez Ferrada, federal Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec, targeted climate change as the major challenge of the current era during the funding announcement in October.

“It is therefore essential to encourage local businesses and organizations to develop greener processes and products here. The Kemitek project seizes the opportunities offered by the green economy and promotes the competitiveness of our industries and economic growth,” she declared.

“We are an example of CCTT, but there are 59 in Quebec. They are there to help companies innovate, he adds. A CCTT is a gateway. Companies should not hesitate to tell us about their issues and we will support them,” says David Berthiaume.