Originally established as the Physical Metallurgy Research Laboratory to conduct metals research for the Canadian military during the Second World War, the CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory (CANMET–MTL) at Natural Resources Canada is recognized today as Canada’s foremost research centre devoted to value-added structural metals, from design, to pilot-scale processing, to performance evaluation.

At CANMET–MTL, NRCan’s scientific and technical staff support the competitiveness of Canadian industry through research and development activities involving metals and alloys, metal composites, metal powders and the enabling technologies, such as fabrication, coating and welding, that are required for manufacturing products.

New materials and innovative manufacturing processes developed at CANMET–MTL are at work in Canada’s energy, transportation and metal-manufacturing sectors. The lab also studies environmental processes, such as recycling and eco-materials.

Strategic Location

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the metal-product manufacturing industries to Canada’s long-term economic prosperity. Research and development of automotive products made of lightweight materials, such as magnesium, aluminum and titanium; innovative steel products, such as high-strength steels for oil and gas pipelines and for vehicles; and other advanced materials, such as metal matrix composites, are critical to assuring the competitive position of these key industries and securing the jobs of many thousands of Canadians.

The new, state-of-the-art CANMET–MTL lab in the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton will help to create a world-leading materials innovation cluster in the heartland of Canada’s manufacturing sector. Already home to key manufacturing industries and research organizations with expertise in automotive, next-generation steels and other advanced materials, CANMET-MTL’s new location in southwestern Ontario will foster the natural synergies among government research, academia and industry, supporting excellence through innovation and sustainable growth.