Funding and Grants for Plastic Manufacturing in New Brunswick in 2025

What funding is available for plastic manufacturers in New Brunswick?

Plastic manufacturers in New Brunswick can combine provincial, federal, and pan-Atlantic programs to fund equipment, innovation, productivity, sustainability, and market expansion. Common instruments include non-repayable contributions, cost-sharing grants, low-interest loans, loan guarantees, wage subsidies, and tax incentives. Key organizations include Opportunities New Brunswick (ONB), the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF), the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). Complementary support often comes from Export Development Canada (EDC) for export financing and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) for equipment financing. Manufacturers can also leverage the federal Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit, alongside manufacturing tax incentives where applicable in New Brunswick. Together, these streams create a comprehensive pathway for plastic manufacturing grants in New Brunswick and broader New Brunswick manufacturing funding.

Key funding categories for the plastics sector

Capital investment and equipment upgrade funding

For plastic processors, capital projects typically focus on expanding capacity, improving quality, and reducing scrap. Funding streams often support equipment upgrade funding for plastics in NB, including injection molding grants in NB (presses, hot runners, electric machines), extrusion line funding in New Brunswick (screw/barrel, die heads, gravimetric feeders), thermoforming equipment grants in NB (in-line formers, ovens, chillers), and blow molding modernization funding in NB (accumulator heads, parison control). Compounding line financing in NB can cover feeders, twin-screw extruders, and pelletizing systems. Programs may also support tooling and mold funding in NB for new products, replacement cores and cavities, and rapid tool trials to reduce time-to-market.

Automation and Industry 4.0

Digital transformation grants for manufacturing in NB increasingly target robotics and automation grants for plastics in NB, including cobot funding for plastics pick-and-place, PLC/SCADA upgrade grants in NB, quality inspection equipment funding in NB, and vision system funding for plastics in NB to reduce defects and rework. Projects can include IIoT sensors, MES, cybersecurity grants for manufacturing, digital twins, and CAD/CAM equipment funding for plastics in NB for mold design and machining. These productivity funding streams help companies adopt industry 4.0 funding for plastics in NB, reduce downtime, and implement lean manufacturing funding in NB with real-time data.

Innovation, R&D, and commercialization

Innovation grants typically cover feasibility studies, prototyping, testing, and pilot and demonstration funding. NBIF innovation funding for plastics can support early-stage R&D, while NRC IRAP funding for plastics R&D in New Brunswick can co-fund applied research, engineering, and technical problem-solving. Organizations pursuing biopolymers and advanced materials can seek R&D grants for plastic materials in NB, including biopolymer R&D grants, starch-based bioplastics funding in NB, additive manufacturing materials funding in NB, and recycled resin qualification grants in NB to validate post-consumer resin (PCR) in packaging. Industry-academic partnership options include NSERC Alliance (university collaborations), Mitacs internships for plastics R&D in NB, and college applied research funding for plastics NB. For market readiness, innovation vouchers in New Brunswick plastics and commercialization funding for plastics NB can support pilot plant funding, certification testing (UL/CSA), IP strategy grants, and market intelligence grants for NB manufacturers.

Clean technology, circular economy, and recycling

Circular economy funding in New Brunswick targets waste reduction, recycling equipment grants in New Brunswick, and plastics waste-to-value projects. SDTC funding for plastics in Atlantic Canada can support clean technology funding for plastics in NB, including pyrolysis plastics pilot NB funding, decarbonization, and process intensification. Projects may explore ocean plastics cleanup grants in NB, post-consumer resin PCR funding in NB, and packaging sustainability grants in NB aligned with EPR compliance funding for plastics in NB. Energy efficiency incentives for factories in NB can also reduce GHG emissions through heat recovery funding for extrusion plants in NB, compressed air efficiency incentives in NB, VFD incentives for manufacturing in NB, industrial heat pump incentives, and renewable energy for plants NB funding. Environmental management may include water/effluent treatment funding in NB and ISO 14001 certification grants in NB plastics.

Workforce development and training

Workforce training grants for plastics in NB can offset costs for operator upskilling, supervisor training funding for manufacturing in NB, and forklift training grants in NB. The Canada Job Grant NB plastics stream (administered provincially) can contribute to third-party training, including RJG/Decoupled Molding courses, scientific extrusion, and quality systems. Wage subsidies may cover youth hiring wage subsidy in NB plastics and Canada Summer Jobs funding for plastics employers in NB. Programs often encourage inclusive hiring, with women in manufacturing grants in NB and Indigenous business grants for NB manufacturing supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion goals.

Export development and market expansion

Export grants for plastics in New Brunswick support export market development for plastics in NB, translation and packaging bilingual grants in NB, participation in international trade shows, and e-commerce expansion grants for manufacturers in NB. Companies can also work with EDC support for plastics exporters in New Brunswick for insurance, working capital, and foreign buyer risk, while BDC financing plus grants for plastics machinery in NB can help bridge cash flow during large capital projects. Export logistics grants for NB manufacturers and shipping cost relief programs in NB may be available through regional partners.

Quality, compliance, and certifications

Quality certification funding for plastics in NB can include ISO 9001 funding in plastics NB, ISO 13485 funding for plastics NB (medical), GMP compliance funding for plastics NB, and HACCP certification funding for packaging in NB. Safety equipment grants for factories in NB, COR safety certification funding, WHMIS training subsidies in NB, and cybersecurity grants for manufacturing strengthen compliance and reduce operational risk. Product testing funding in NB and certification testing grants for plastics in NB (including UL/CSA testing funding) help validate materials and packaging performance for regulated markets such as food, medical, and aerospace.

Energy efficiency and decarbonization for plastics plants

Energy audit funding for factories in NB can identify measures such as heat recovery, VFDs on extruders, drying system optimization, and compressed air leak management funding in NB. Climate action funding for manufacturing in NB and GHG reduction grants for factories in NB can support decarbonization, electrification, and process optimization projects. Some programs may consider renewable energy integration, thermal system upgrades, and high-efficiency chillers to improve overall plant performance.

Regional and local focus: New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada

New Brunswick plastics manufacturers operate across urban and rural communities, with clusters in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton, and growing capabilities in Dieppe, Miramichi, Bathurst, Edmundston, Woodstock, and Saint Stephen. Rural manufacturing grants in New Brunswick can support site expansion, industrial land development grants in NB, and brownfield redevelopment grants in NB when relevant. ACOA funding for plastics in NB and cluster funding in Atlantic Canada may support projects that create regional economic impact, improve supply chain resilience funding in NB, and foster collaboration with universities and colleges. City-level priorities sometimes emphasize workforce development and export diversification; aligning projects with local economic strategies can strengthen an application.

Eligibility criteria and how to apply

Eligibility varies by program, but applicants are generally Canadian-incorporated companies operating in New Brunswick with a viable project, matching funds, and potential economic benefits such as jobs, productivity, exports, or clean growth. Eligible costs may include machinery and equipment, tooling, software (CAD/CAM, MES), engineering, testing, certification, training, and marketing activities tied to commercialization. Ineligible costs often include routine operating expenses, land and building purchases (except under specific streams), and costs incurred before approval; always verify each program’s guidelines.

Application steps for plastic manufacturers

1. Define the project: scope, objectives, milestones, KPI targets (throughput, scrap reduction, energy intensity).

2. Build a budget: vendor quotes for injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming, blow molding, recycling equipment; include installation, training, and commissioning.

3. Document benefits: productivity gains, export growth, circular economy outcomes, workforce upskilling, and decarbonization impacts.

4. Confirm eligibility: align with ACOA, ONB, NBIF, NRC IRAP, SDTC priorities; check stacking and company status.

5. Prepare a timeline: procurement, delivery, and go-live dates; consider lead times for molds, tooling, and robotics.

6. Risk and mitigation: supply chain, commissioning, and validation plans (e.g., recycled resin qualification, ISO audits).

7. Submit: complete forms, attach financials, corporate documents, and letters of support; keep versions consistent.

Stacking, cash flow, and claims

Many programs allow stacking within specified limits; however, each has rules for cost-share ratios and eligible cost windows. Plan cash flow early by combining grants with EDC/BDC financing or internal reserves to cover deposits, progress payments, and final balances. After approval, claims typically require invoices, proof of payment, progress reports, and evidence of outcomes (e.g., production data, training certificates). Maintain an audit-ready file from day one.

Program snapshots (descriptive overview)

- ACOA funding for plastics in NB: Often supports productivity, scale-up, export development, and clean growth under regional economic development priorities through non-repayable contributions or repayable support depending on project type.

- ONB grants for manufacturing: May include productivity, export, workforce, and investment attraction tools, as well as site expansion and modernization assistance aligned with provincial priorities.

- NBIF innovation funding for plastics: Focused on innovation, commercialization, and research partnerships that advance materials, processes, and products.

- NRC IRAP funding New Brunswick plastics: Technical advisory services and contribution funding to help SMEs conduct applied R&D, prototyping, and technology de-risking.

- SDTC funding plastics Atlantic Canada: Supports clean technology projects that reduce environmental impacts and demonstrate scalable, market-ready solutions in recycling, waste-to-value, and decarbonization.

- SR&ED tax credit plastics NB: A federal refundable/partially refundable tax incentive for eligible R&D activities, including process engineering and tooling development, complementing grants without duplicating costs.

- EDC and BDC: Export risk management, working capital, and equipment financing that can pair with grants to bridge timing gaps.

Use cases and project examples for plastics plants

- Injection molding: all-electric machine replacing hydraulic press to cut energy use; mold design grants in NB to optimize cycle time; vision inspection system grants in plastics NB for automated QC.

- Extrusion: gravimetric dosing, VFD drives, heat recovery systems; recycled resin qualification grants to validate PCR for film/packaging; die tooling replacement grants for changeover speed.

- Thermoforming: in-line forming with automated stacking and trimming; HACCP certification funding for packaging in NB; ISO 9001 funding for plastics NB to formalize QMS.

- Blow molding: parison control upgrades to reduce wall variation; compressed air efficiency incentives NB; robotics grants for manufacturing in NB for deflashing and packing.

- Compounding: twin-screw line with feeders for biopolymer blends; additive manufacturing materials funding NB for testing; UL/CSA testing funding NB for product compliance.

- Recycling: shredders, wash lines, extruders for pelletizing; pyrolysis plastics pilot NB funding to valorize hard-to-recycle streams; EPR compliance funding plastics NB for traceability.

Budgeting, cost categories, and cash flow planning

Build a detailed bill of materials by workstream: machines, auxiliaries (dryers, chillers, loaders), tooling and molds, robotics, automation, software, installation, training, and certification. Identify soft costs such as engineering, testing, environmental permits, and market studies. Separate eligible and non-eligible costs by program and timeline. Consider bridge financing to manage deposits and long lead times on tooling and equipment. Plan contingencies for freight, customs, commissioning, and operator training. Accurate phasing supports stronger claims and minimizes delays.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

- Starting purchases before approval can jeopardize eligibility.

- Overlooking stacking rules may cause clawbacks; align budgets accordingly.

- Underestimating training needs can reduce productivity benefits; include supervisor and operator training grants.

- Ignoring cybersecurity or safety upgrades can create compliance risks; consider WHMIS, COR, and cybersecurity grants.

- Weak measurement plans (no baseline KPIs) make outcomes hard to prove; define throughput, scrap, energy, and OEE baselines.

City-level and rural opportunities

Moncton plastics funding, Saint John manufacturing grants, and Fredericton innovation grants for plastics can align with municipal and regional priorities. Dieppe manufacturing incentives, Miramichi plant funding plastics, Bathurst manufacturing funding, Edmundston industry grants plastics, Woodstock manufacturing grants, and Saint Stephen grants manufacturing may exist through regional agencies and partnerships. Rural manufacturing grants in New Brunswick may encourage site expansion, workforce housing solutions, and logistics improvements that benefit plastics processors.

Compliance, certifications, and market access

Quality and regulatory funding help open new markets: ISO 13485 (medical), ISO 9001 (general), HACCP for food packaging, and GMP for controlled environments. Certification testing grants for plastics in NB can validate barrier properties, migration, and mechanical performance. Translation and packaging bilingual grants in NB assist with French/English labelling and regulatory compliance, while export market development plastics NB supports market research and in-country testing.

How helloDarwin simplifies funding for plastic manufacturers

helloDarwin combines expert consulting with a SaaS platform to simplify complex government funding processes. Our dual approach helps manufacturers identify relevant programs (ACOA, ONB, NBIF, NRC IRAP, SDTC), verify eligibility, assemble documents, and manage timelines and claims. The platform enables rapid discovery of plastic manufacturing grants in New Brunswick, including automation grants, energy efficiency incentives, recycling equipment grants, export funding, and SR&ED alignment. By unifying human expertise with digital tools, we streamline applications, reduce administrative burden, and help organizations secure non-dilutive funding efficiently and transparently.

Conclusion

Plastic manufacturers in New Brunswick can access a robust mix of programs covering capital investment, R&D, circular economy, workforce, exports, quality, and decarbonization. Successful projects clearly define objectives, budgets, and KPIs, align with agency priorities, and plan cash flow and reporting from the outset. By combining funding streams—ACOA, ONB, NBIF, NRC IRAP, SDTC, SR&ED, EDC, BDC—and applying best practices, companies can accelerate modernization, improve competitiveness, and lead in green, circular plastics across Atlantic Canada.