Écoemballage+ Stream 1 : Business support

• The maximum financial aid per project and per company is $50,000 for eco-design projects for packaging or food containers.
• The financial aid granted can cover up to 75% of eligible expenses.

• The applicant must be a for-profit company legally constituted and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register, and incorporated under a law of the government of Quebec or Canada.
• The company must operate in food processing, use subcontracted food processing (including private label holders), or operate a central kitchen.
• At least one commercial establishment or branch must be located in Quebec.
• The company must primarily commercialize its products within the province of Quebec and carry out the food processing and packaging development in Quebec.

Who is eligible?

• Food processing companies (including companies engaged in food preparation (packaging and preservation))
• Companies using contractors or outsourcing food processing (including companies holding private labels)
• Companies owning a central kitchen

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.

• Nonprofit organizations;
• Start-up businesses that have not marketed any product at the time of application;
• Sole proprietorships, that is, businesses owned by a single individual who is often referred to as a self-employed or independent worker;
• Professional associations;
• Trade unions;
• Public and private foundations as defined by the Income Tax Act of Canada;
• Trusts;
• Private institutions of primary, secondary, and post-secondary education;
• Any business majority-owned by a municipal entity or a state-owned corporation (majority shareholder);
• Any business under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act;
• Any business listed on the Register of Businesses Not Eligible for Public Contracts at the following link: https://www.amp.quebec//rena/;
• Any business that, in the two years prior to the request for financial aid, has failed to meet its obligations after being duly served a notice by the Minister in connection with the granting of previous financial aid;
• Any business involved in the processing of the following products: Animal feed, nutraceuticals, natural health products as defined by the Natural Health Products Regulations (SOR/2003-196). Products identified by a Drug Identification Number (DIN) are not considered, within this program, as food, just as products containing cannabis and energy drinks are not.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses related to the eco-design of packaging.

• Fees for external consultants or internal specialists to conduct diagnostics, studies, or analyses.
• Costs related to recommendations and action plans or implementation for new packaging or container concepts.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses with a commercial establishment or a branch located in Quebec.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria are as follows:

• Admissibility of the project based on the type of packaging design and recyclability.
• Clear demonstration of eco-design principles and feasibility.
• Alignment with the program's objectives and guidelines.
• Evidence of collaboration with relevant experts or consultants.
• Demonstration of how the project will contribute to sustainable packaging practices.

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The funding cannot exceed 75% of eligible expenses for any project.
• The application process allows for ongoing submission but is subject to fund availability and a final deadline.
• A final report must be submitted within 60 days following project completion, or by February 1, 2026, at the latest.
• The partnership with MAPAQ is specifically highlighted, indicating collaboration or co-funding potential.
• Interested applicants should contact ecoemballage@faqdd.qc.ca for program-related questions or assistance with the application process.