Even after 150 years in business, Canadian General-Tower isn't afraid to try new things.
CGT, a maker of coated fabrics and films based in Cambridge, Ontario, recently completed the first phase of an industrial research project with McGill University. The project is aimed at developing the next generation of biodegradable plasticizers.
The CGT-McGill research partnership was done through Canada's MITACS Research & Innovation program. CGT now is conducting scale-up trials to qualify the new plasticizers.
CGT CEO Craig Richardson said in a news release that his firm "is honored to be part of an important joint research initiative aimed at bringing new industrial material innovations to the Canadian market while championing environmental responsibility."
He added that 2019 "is also a momentous year for CGT because the company celebrates 150 years of cutting-edge innovation."
CGT associate vice-principal Sylvain Coulombe said that CGT's projects with MITACS "will advance research on the development of green and non-toxic materials," while also giving McGill's students and post-doctoral fellows the opportunity to apply their science and engineering training in support of industrial innovation in Canada.
The automotive industry is CGT's largest market. It also sells into industrial construction and other sectors.
At CGT's Cambridge facility, up to 4 million pounds of PVC are recycled in industrial applications per year. The company also has in-house solvent recycling capabilities to reduce the purchase of new solvents and increase the use of reclaimed solvents in its manufacturing processes.
CGT was founded in 1869 and originally produced wagon wheels and axe handles. The firm now employs more than 1,200 worldwide.
McGill was founded in Montreal and now has two campuses, 300 programs of study and more than 40,000 students. The university attracts students from more than 150 countries around the world.
MITACS is a national, not-for-profit research and training organization dedicated to advancing collaborations between industry, academia and government in Canada.