Two Waterloo Region companies, KA Imaging and ICSPI Corp., alongside ApoSys Technologies and OTI Lumionics, have been named part of 15 advanced manufacturing projects valued at $59 million, according to a recent announcement by Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen).
“It’s exciting to be part of this innovative project supported by NGen’s investment,” said Amol Karnick, CEO and President of KA Imaging. “Our imaging solutions combine high spatial resolution and detection efficiency with phase contrast technology, creating opportunities to support EV battery inspection for quality assurance.”
These projects are supported through a combination of $21.4 million in NGen funding and $37.4 million from industry partners, advancing Canada’s position as a leader in manufacturing and technology.
Kitchener-based KA Imaging, a leader in X-ray innovation, is advancing the manufacturing of power electronics heat exchangers for electric vehicles (EVs), while Waterloo startup ICSPI Corp. is driving the commercialization of quantum technologies through its expertise in atomic force microscopy for quantum device metrology. OTI Lumionics is contributing to quantum simulations for materials discovery.
“The patented technology of our BrillianSe X-ray detector and inCiTe 3D X-ray Microscope ensures high-performance standards are met as the world moves towards more efficient and sustainable transportation solutions,” Karnick said. “This initiative also supports job creation in advanced manufacturing, reinforcing our commitment to driving economic growth and fostering innovation in Canada.”
Oliver Wang, CEO of ApoSys Technologies, told the Environment Journal that the NGen funding "will catalyze our R&D efforts in maturing Geoforge, our mining Underground GPS technology. Geoforge has been in development in terrestrial mines across Canada since 2021, and currently offers centimetre-accurate mapping and positioning as a plug-and-play solution for mining vehicles. Under NGen’s Moonshot 4 Mining, Minerals and Manufacturing (M4M3) initiative, Canada seeks to develop dual-use technologies for both terrestrial and lunar settings, with an emphasis on innovations being asset-light and scalable.”
The announcement, celebrated at Dana Canada Corp. in Oakville on Sept. 9, highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
“Our government is proud to collaborate with NGen to accelerate innovation and advancements in support of our key advanced manufacturing sectors like quantum and electric vehicles,” the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said in a press release. “Projects like these advance the development and adoption of cutting-edge solutions and deliver important benefits to Canadians while creating jobs and contributing to economic growth, demonstrating Canada’s world-leading capabilities in manufacturing and technology.”
The involvement of Waterloo Region companies showcases the area’s ongoing role as a hub for technological advancement.
NGen's funding supports 31 companies across various sectors, contributing to a total of 211 projects that have generated $7.2 billion in new sales and created nearly 4,000 jobs to date. This investment represents another step in positioning Canada as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, with local companies playing a critical role.
