Grant: CCI Mobilize Grants

The population is growing and with it the demand for raw materials, but the supply of crucial raw materials is limited. In addition, extracting and using raw materials has a major impact on the environment. It also increases energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Circular economy as a major focus for Clean Tech sector is a critical pathway to mitigate many of above-mentioned challenges. Lambton College has six established research centres focused on collaborative research in bio, material, information technology, manufacturing, energy, and water. In addition, the College has strong research groups supporting social science and health, natural health products and food and beverage. Through these established centres and groups, Lambton has created a strong research portfolio that supports collaborative research focused on the Circular Economy. Lambton through the Mobilize grant will form the Lambton Circular Economy Innovation Platform (LCEIP) that will provide essential means to enhance the existing research centres and groups by increasing access to resources and capacity to address applied research priorities in industry, health, and not-for-profit community-based organizations focused on the Circular Economy. In addition, through the LCEIP Lambton will develop new areas of research that will including battery manufacturing and recycling and food waste recycling. Furthermore, the grant will allow for the expansion of existing partnerships and development of new relationships with colleges, universities, innovation parks and other government agencies to initiate more partnerships with industry and not-for-profits and offer more comprehensive innovation services. It is expected that LCEIP will develop 250 applied research projects over 5 years and 125 longer projects, attracting $500K/year partnership support and $3M in infrastructure grants. In addition, the LCEIP will be critical for providing 155 research student experiential education opportunities for a diverse pool of students from technology, IT, health and business programs for a growing circular economy focused industries. The LCEIP will become a key program to provide long-term applied research initiatives focused on Circular Economy which is the priority of the college's partners in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and health sciences.