Caraquet

ADVANCED

MATERIALS

Stronger materials, smarter processes

The INNOV Center – Advanced Materials is a center of expertise in composite materials, infusion, and performance testing.

Based in Caraquet, it supports manufacturing, marine, energy and construction companies in the development, validation and optimization of their products and processes.

INNOV – Matériaux de pointe combine la science des matériaux, la précision des essais mécaniques et une approche appliquée pour accélérer l’innovation industrielle au Nouveau-Brunswick.

Our Expertise

Composite Manufacturing Processes

  • Advanced manufacturing processes: vacuum infusion, resin transfer molding (RTM) and hand lay-up
  • Development and optimization of composites: fiberglass, carbon fibre, Kevlar and hybrid materials
  • A fully equipped infusion molding facility for parts with complex geometries, using reusable vacuum bags.

Performance Testing and Characterization

  • Universal testing machine (tensile, compression, flexural, peel, shear, tear — up to 50 kN)
  • Thermal analysis: differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA)
  • Simulation of environmental aging (xenon weathering, atmospheric corrosion).

Design and Engineering Support

  • Finite element analysis (FEA) and support for composite part design
  • Support for prototype design and the development of custom tools and molds.
  • Small-scale fabrication and assembly.

Eco-Friendly Materials

  • Integration of eco-responsible and recyclable materials into existing processes
  • Life cycle assessment and eco-design in collaboration with the INNOV–Sustainability Centre
  • Collaborative innovation with the marine, transportation and construction sectors

Large-Format Additive Manufacturing

  • Manufacturing of large composite parts with complex geometries that are impossible or very costly to produce using traditional methods.
  • Integration of reinforced polymers (fibers, technical fillers) tailored to industrial sectors such as transportation, energy, and construction.
  • Accelerating development and time to market through rapid prototyping and direct manufacturing.

Our

Services

Our services are designed to support manufacturers at every stage of their journey, whether they are developing a new composite product, validating a process, or optimizing a production line.

Submit a Project

Prototyping and Development

Un accompagnement de la conception à la fabrication pour les fabricants qui repoussent les limites de la conception des matériaux composites.

  • Composite product development (industrial parts, prototypes, structures)
  • Feasibility studies and technical diagnostics
  • Support for the design of custom tools and molds
  • Support for prototype design and small-scale production

Testing and Validation

Rigorous, standardized assessments designed to validate skills and facilitate certification pathways.

  • Execution of standardized mechanical tests (tensile, compression, flexural, shear, impact, peel)
  • Thermal analysis and simulation of environmental aging (UV, humidity, corrosion).
  • Advisory expertise for the durability and certification of composite products
  • Sample preparation and material characterization (resin, viscosity, density).

Optimizing and Integration

Production-focused support aimed at improving quality, reducing waste, and incorporating more sustainable materials.

  • Integration of vacuum infusion processes and recyclable materials into existing production lines.
  • Production line optimization and light automation support
  • Hands-on training in vacuum infusion, molding, and quality control
  • Support for the integration of eco-friendly and bio-based composites.

Key Achievements

A Canadian First in the Field of Recyclable Composites

INNOV helped DJ Marine infuse a 13.7-meter boat hull using a recyclable thermoplastic resin—a first in Canada. This project demonstrated the viability of sustainable composite manufacturing on an industrial scale in the marine sector.

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Production Optimization at R.P. Pro-Fibre Ltd

A comprehensive overhaul of R.P. Pro-Fibre’s production line, incorporating quality control protocols and improvements in inventory management, has yielded measurable gains in production efficiency, consistency, and quality.

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First large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) system for composites in Atlantic Canada

INNOV has commissioned the first large-format additive manufacturing system in Atlantic Canada. This hybrid system, based on a KUKA robot, enables the production and finishing of parts measuring up to 2 meters by 2 meters.

Robot KUKA LFAM Caraquet

Our Equipment and Software

Mechanical Testing and Characterization Laboratory
  • Universal testing machine (tensile, compression, flexural, peel, shear, tear — up to 50 kN)
  • Drop-weight impact testing machine
  • Hydraulic press with heated platens (consolidation testing and molding)
  • Q-SUN Xe-3 XENON (simulation of solar and climatic aging)
  • Q-FOG SSP-600 (natural atmospheric corrosion testing)
  • Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA)
  • Heat treatment oven for polymers and composites
  • Sample preparation workstation and measurement laboratory (resin, viscosity, density)
  • Fully equipped infusion room for complex-geometry parts, including reusable vacuum bags
  • Atelier de fabrication et d'assemblage pour la réalisation de prototypes à petite échelle et de outillage.
  • Auxiliary equipment for manual layup, resin transfer molding (RTM), and vacuum infusion processes.
  • KUKA KR120 R3900 industrial robot equipped with a RAPID FUSION pellet print head and an 11-kW machining system.
  • Heated printing surface measuring 2 meters by 2 meters.

Associated Services

The expertise of this center contributes to several cross-functional departments at INNOV.

INNOV-Technology

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INNOV–Sustainability

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INNOV-Training

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Contact

Manager: Sébastien Vaudreuil - Researcher – Business Development

Contact this Center

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