Summary
Canada has a strong foundation in advanced materials research, supported by public investments, research infrastructure, natural resource advantages, and collaboration among governments, universities, and industry. Drawing on its critical mineral advantage and research strengths, Canada can pursue emerging opportunities, fortify supply chains, and reduce reliance on foreign sources of strategically important resources.
Advanced materials are engineered or significantly enhanced to outperform conventional alternatives through improved structural, functional, or environmental properties. They could also support a lower-carbon, more circular future by reducing energy and resource use and enabling more efficient recovery, reuse, and recycling.
At the request of the National Research Council of Canada, the Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) will undertake a new assessment of Canada's advanced materials landscape. The assessment will provide decision-makers with an evidence base to better understand Canada's position in this rapidly evolving and strategically important global field.
This project was supported by the Government of Canada, through the Strategic Science Fund.