Client/Partners
Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre, Motive Industries, Fiber-Werx International
Technology
New bio composites provide a durable materials solution; while lowering the carbon footprint of the final manufactured parts.
Opportunity
Calgary-based transportation design firm, Motive Industries Inc. is developing and prototyping Canada's first electric vehicle, the Kestrel car. This innovative vehicle is built with composite body parts manufactured from Alberta-grown hemp and flax, based on material formulations engineered at Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF). These new materials are valuable to industrial innovators like Motive Industries to meet the growing need for sustainability and energy efficiency.
Status
Based on strong interest from the marketplace, the second stage of panel manufacturing and testing for the Kestrel is about to begin. The materials will be supplied by the Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre (ABDC) fibre processing plant at AITF's Vegreville facility, and the panels will be manufactured at Fiber-Werx International in Sylvan Lake.
*ABDC is a virtual centre that offers entrepreneurs and businesses, the collective research strengths of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, and Sustainable Resource Development.
This story is also available as a downloadable PDF.