Today the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund (OCIF) announced an investment of almost $1 million over three years into the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (SAIT) Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) Hub to accelerate new construction and manufacturing materials and processes development.
Part of the Centre for Innovation and Research in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials (CIRAMM) within SAIT’s Applied Research and Innovation Services, the ACT Hub aims to support 36 Calgary companies and train 24 individuals from 2024 to 2027.
OCIF’s investment will enable local SMEs to collaborate with researchers and students at the ACT Hub to develop, test, and validate innovative solutions for the construction industry. This partnership will leverage the ACT Hub’s technology and space to create cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and materials science advancements.
The ACT Hub will drive innovations such as robotic technologies for prefabricating houses, automated modular construction, 3D printing of structures, and the development of carbon-negative building products. It will also focus on upcycling construction materials and creating new green composite materials.
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Waste to Worth – Laying the Building Blocks of a Circular Carbon Economy
Carbon Upcycling is a carbon capture & utilization technology provider for the world’s hardest-to-abate industries – transforming CO2 and industrial waste materials into low-carbon cement alternatives.
“OCIF’s mandate is to Find, Fuel, and Foster Innovation in our city. This investment will strengthen industry ties with our post-secondary institutions and provide students with hands-on experience building future technologies,” said Brad Parry, CEO of OCIF and Calgary Economic Development.
“OCIF is a vital tool for ensuring Calgary’s economy is diversified and resilient. By fostering collaboration among Calgary’s bright minds, the ACT Hub will enhance industry-driven solutions for our construction and manufacturing sectors.”
The hub will offer students opportunities to work with advanced equipment, develop technical skills, and collaborate with industry.
To date, OCIF has allocated nearly $84 million to 30 projects, creating or retaining over 3,000 jobs, scaling over 800 companies, and generating almost $900 million in economic activity—a tenfold return on investment.
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