Open
Equipment Manufacturers–Clients
Supports innovative partnerships between equipment suppliers and aluminum producers
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 1,000,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Equipment Manufacturers-Clients program provides funding of up to $1,000,000 per project, representing a maximum of 30% of eligible expenses, to support innovative partnership projects between equipment manufacturers and aluminum producers or transformers in Quebec. The program aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and modernize aluminum production facilities through innovation in products or processes.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Implementation of new products or processes within aluminum production or processing plants in Quebec.
- Innovation projects involving the development, testing, and validation of new technologies or equipment.
- Pilot testing and demonstration of innovative solutions in real operating conditions.
- Projects accelerating the modernization of aluminum smelters and processors through new technology adoption.
- Implementation of new equipment or technologies at the client's facility (mandatory step for eligibility).
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed financial assistance application form, including annexes
- Budget and financing plan
- Financial statements for the last two years, or forecast statements for startups
- Signed letter from each partner confirming participation and role in the project
- Proof of compliance with French language francization requirements from the Office québécois de la langue française
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Eligible company types and industries:- Equipment manufacturers (Équipementiers) - companies specializing in equipment manufacturing and technology development for the aluminum industry
- Primary aluminum producers - companies producing primary aluminum (e.g., Alcoa, Alouette, Rio Tinto)
- Aluminum processors/transformers - companies using raw aluminum, aluminum rods, or rolling plates as main production inputs
- Aluminum recyclers - companies that recycle aluminum and make recycled material available on the Quebec market
Who is not eligible
The following enterprises are not eligible:- State-owned companies or enterprises directly or indirectly controlled by a government (provincial, federal, or municipal).
- Enterprises under protection of the Bankruptcy Act or in a state of insolvency.
- Enterprises registered in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
- Enterprises that have failed to meet their obligations after formal notice in the two years preceding the request.
- Enterprises non-compliant with the francization process (French Language Charter).
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting.
- Direct labor costs related to the project, including social benefits, mandatory contributions, and project management fees.
- Travel and accommodation expenses directly related to project execution, including those of potential clients attending real-world demonstrations.
- Direct material and inventory costs.
- Direct equipment costs, calculated based on the proportion of project duration to equipment useful life.
- Equipment rental fees.
- Costs of acquiring studies or other documentation.
- Fees for obtaining necessary certifications or homologations for commercialization.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred before the application is submitted, including signed contractual commitments
- Transactions between project partners, such as buying or renting equipment from another partner
- Debt service, loan repayments, capital losses, or capital replacement
- Regular operating expenses and recurring fees, including software updates and subscriptions
- Land, building acquisition, construction, or expansion costs
Eligible geographic areas
QuebecProcessing and Agreement
- The CQRDA reviews the application for admissibility and confirms the result by letter.
- Eligible applications are assessed by an independent expert committee.
- Only selected projects that receive all required approvals are accepted.
- Approved applicants sign a subsidy agreement with the CQRDA before funding is granted.
- Applications are processed according to budget availability and program criteria.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients Program
What is the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients?
The Equipment Manufacturers-Clients program provides funding of up to $1,000,000 per project, representing a maximum of 30% of eligible expenses, to support innovative partnership projects between equipment manufacturers and aluminum producers or transformers in Quebec. The program aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and modernize aluminum production facilities through innovation in products or processes.
How much funding can be received?
Equipment Manufacturers–Clients Funds up to 30% of admissible expenses, capped at $1,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients program?
To be eligible for the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients program, you must:
Partnership must include at least two Quebec companies (equipmentier and client)
Client must be primary aluminum producer or aluminum transformer in Quebec
Companies must be legally established in Quebec with an operating production facility
What expenses are eligible under Equipment Manufacturers–Clients?
Implementation of new products or processes within aluminum production or processing plants in Quebec.
Innovation projects involving the development, testing, and validation of new technologies or equipment.
Pilot testing and demonstration of innovative solutions in real operating conditions.
Projects accelerating the modernization of aluminum smelters and processors through new technology adoption.
Implementation of new equipment or technologies at the client's facility (mandatory step for eligibility).
Who can I contact for more information about the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients?
You can contact Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA) by email at projetsRD@cqrda.ca or by phone at 418-545-5520.
Where is the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients available?
The Equipment Manufacturers–Clients program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Equipment Manufacturers–Clients a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Equipment Manufacturers–Clients is a Grant and Funding