Alberta Innovates and CRIN have selected 12 projects for Phase II of CFGC
by CM Staff
The CFGC is a three-phase competition accelerating the development of carbon fibre derived from Alberta’s vast supply of bitumen.
EDMONTON — Alberta Innovates and the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) have selected 12 projects to participate in Phase II of the Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge (CFGC). Participating teams will share $5.27 million as they develop processes to scale up and improve the quality of carbon fibre manufactured from Alberta bitumen.
Nineteen submissions were made to Phase II of the CFGC program. Alberta Innovates and a committee of experts selected the 12 best projects which will be completed by early 2023.
The CFGC is a three-phase competition accelerating the development of carbon fibre derived from Alberta’s vast supply of bitumen. Phase I of the CFGC program was completed in early 2021, with multiple teams successfully extracting carbon fibre from bitumen derived asphaltenes. The CFGC program is one component in Alberta Innovates’ Bitumen Beyond Combustion strategy, which creates significant potential for revenue and job creation while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Phase II of the Challenge is a $5.27 million competition supported by a $3 million investment from CRIN’s ecosystem development funds, and $2.27 million from Alberta Innovates. The competition was open to technology developers, industry (including small, medium and large size enterprises), industry associations, research and development (R&D) organizations, post-secondary institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and government research labs.
“Phase II of the Carbon Fibre challenge moves us closer to realizing the potential of Bitumen Beyond Combustion. Alberta’s vast reserves of bitumen are the building blocks to create new low carbon opportunity throughout Alberta.” said Laura Kilcrease, CEO, Alberta Innovates.
“We are proud to lay the foundation for a stronger, greener, and more sustainable economy by investing in initiatives like CRIN’s Carbon Fibre Grand Challenge. These innovative, low-carbon solutions will create environmental and economic benefits for Albertans and for all Canadians.” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
