Canada’s Advanced Manufacturing Push: NGen’s $62.7M Investment

Canada is making investments in advanced manufacturing capabilities across artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital transformation. Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the industry-led organization that leads Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing, announced in April 2026 a $62.7 million investment package to strengthen the country’s industrial competitiveness.

The Investment: $25M Federal, $38M Industry

The funding package consists of nearly $25 million in new federal funding** from NGen, leveraged by **$38 million in direct investment from industry partners, to launch 14 projects across Canada .

The announcement was made at Hannover Messe, the world’s largest industrial trade show, where Canada led a delegation of over 100 companies working on AI, robotics, advanced materials, and manufacturing processes. The Canadian presence was accompanied by The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Economic Development for Quebec Regions .

“This announcement demonstrates the strength of Canada’s globally-recognized innovation ecosystem,” said Jayson Myers, CEO of NGen. “By supporting these collaborations, NGen is helping Canadian companies scale faster, compete internationally, and build the high-value manufacturing ecosystem our economy needs in this critical moment.”

The Projects: From Quantum to Nuclear

The 14 projects span a remarkable range of advanced manufacturing applications :

Advanced Materials & Battery Supply Chain:

• Lithium Brine2Battery Chemicals Advanced Manufacturing (Lead: Saltworks Technologies) – advancing domestic battery chemical production
• Transformation of Methane Gas into Advanced Energy Storage Applications (Lead: MakeSens Battery Technologies)
• Pilot-scale production of nano-alumina doped with rare earth elements (Lead: NeoCtech Corp.)

Additive Manufacturing:

• Foam Optimized Additive Manufacturing (Lead: Mosaic Manufacturing)
• Automated Additive Manufacturing in Healthcare (A2MH) (Lead: Mosaic Manufacturing)

AI and Digital Transformation:

• Advanced Robotics and Digital Twin Integration for Smart Manufacturing (Lead: Magna International Inc.)
• Streamlining Cosmetics Packaging with AI-Powered Materials Informatics (Lead: Materia Bioworks)
• Adaptable & AI-Enabled Next Gen Satellite Constellations Production Line (Lead: MDA Corporation)

Energy & Nuclear:

• Automated Manufacturing for Nuclear Micro-Reactors (Lead: Canadian Strategic Missions Corporation)
• Rapid Quality Assurance and Sorting for Grid Scale Batteries (Lead: Pulsenics Inc.)

Biomanufacturing & Healthcare:

• Transformative Canadian Viral Vector Manufacturing Platform (Lead: Virica Biotech Inc.)
• Scaling PAT and Bioprocessing Technologies for Mammalian Cellular Aggregates (Lead: Myo Palate)

Advanced Manufacturing & Components:

• Scaling PM Technology & Velocity Bolting (Lead: Mahler Machining Ltd.)
• PIC automated packaging for quantum computers and lidars (Lead: AEPONYX Enterprises Inc.)

MMTS 2026: Showcasing the Innovation

The NGen investments were showcased at the Montreal Manufacturing Technology Show (MMTS) on May 11–12, 2026, which attracted more than 5,000 manufacturing professionals and over 200 suppliers and OEMs .

The centerpiece of MMTS 2026 was the newly launched Innovation Park, featuring five Tech Pavilions :

1. RAPID + TCT Showcase – additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies, focusing on production-ready applications
2. Smart Manufacturing Experience – AI, robotics, IIoT, and digital twin technologies in integrated production environments
3. Cleantech ZONE – energy efficiency, EV infrastructure, and sustainable production
4. Aerospace and Defence ZONE – precision engineering and materials innovation for Canada’s aerospace sector
5. Discovery Zone – emerging technologies and early-stage companies with market-ready innovations

More than 150 new products and technologies made their MMTS debut, from AI-driven robotics to next-generation additive manufacturing systems .

Sources Summary