This framework agreement covers the use of composite materials in the fields of aerospace propulsion and components, defence and security, and sets terms for the funding of several large-scale university research projects worth several million dollars to be conducted in the next few years by Polytechnique Montréal and Safran group. Polytechnique Montréal is an internationally recognized hub for research into composite materials, thanks to the expertise, platforms and unique technologies developed in recent years by Professors François Trochu and Edu Ruiz.

Multiple large-scale projects
An initial $1.2 million (Cdn) project to develop applications for future jet engines, included in the framework agreement, is already underway with financing from the Ministère du Développement économique, de l'Innovation et de l'Exportation du Québec (MDEIE), through its Programme de soutien à la valorisation et au transfert (PSVT), as well as from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), via the Idea to Innovation (I2I) program.

The framework agreement also includes the awarding of a license in a specific field of application to Safran group by Polytechnique Montréal's commercial partner, Polyvalor, s.e.c., managed by the university research valorization company Univalor, for Polyflex, a novel flexible resin injection moulding process. Developed by Polytechnique Mechanical Engineering research scientists Trochu and Ruiz, and patented by Univalor in 2003, this new approach to injection moulding allows for the manufacture of autoclave-quality parts, far more quickly than with traditional rigid injection moulding methods (e.g., resin transfer moulding, or RTM) and at a fraction of the cost.
 
Tangible benefits for Québec and the aerospace industry
The co-operation framework agreement signed today will allow Polytechnique Montréal to conduct a variety of large-scale research projects, training highly qualified personnel who will be able to rapidly support local and international companies, leaders in aerospace industry development. For its part, Safran group, already a world leader in composite materials for aerospace manufacturing, gains access to high-performance technology, the results of innovative research, a high-quality labour force, and the expertise of researchers considered pioneers in their field.

This collaborative effort and the licensing of the new Polyflex manufacturing process to Safran group finally opens the door to new applications and direct industrial spinoffs for Québec, through various R&D initiatives led by researchers at both Polytechnique Montréal and Safran group, and to projects with local companies, notably in sectors such as transportation and aircraft, but also in other fields, for example sports and recreation.

This collaboration between France and Québec follows a series of projects involving RTM process simulation and composites characterization undertaken at Polytechnique Montréal since 1993 jointly with the firm Snecma, a subsidiary of Safran group.

About Safran group
Safran is a leading international high-technology group with three core businesses: aerospace (propulsion and equipment), defence and security. Operating worldwide, the Safran group has 55,000 employees and generated sales exceeding 10.4 billion euros in 2009. Comprising many business units, and working alone or in partnership, Safran holds world or European leadership positions in its core markets. The group invests heavily in research & development to meet the requirements of changing markets, including expenditures of 1.1 billion euros in 2009. Safran owns several business units and plants in Québec, including Turbomeca, Messier-Dowty and Sagem-Morpho.

About Gestion Univalor, L.P. ("Univalor")
Univalor is a limited partnership founded in 2001 whose mission is to accelerate the transfer to industry of inventions developed by researchers from Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montreal and most of the affiliated hospitals. Its current portfolio consists of more than 300 technological inventions transferable to industry in the fields of pure and applied sciences; life sciences and human health sciences; management sciences; animal health; engineering; and information technologies.
 
About Polytechnique Montréal
Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering university institutions in terms of both teaching and research. It is also the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 36,000 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has trained nearly 30% of the current members of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 14 engineering specialties, has 230 professors and over 6,700 students. It has an annual operating budget of more than $100 million, in addition to a $70-million research fund.

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Available for interviews:

In Paris:
- Christophe Guy, Chief Executive Officer, Polytechnique Montréal
- Michel Laroche, Senior Vice-President, Research and Technology, Safran group
- Marc Gouny, Project Manager, Safran Composites, Safran group

In Montréal:
- Gilles Savard, Director, Research and Innovation, Polytechnique Montréal
- Luc Filiatreault, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gestion Univalor, L.P.

To schedule an interview with a spokesperson or receive a photo of the official signing ceremony in Paris, contact Annie Touchette, annie.touchette@polymtl.ca.

Information:
Annie Touchette
Senior Consultant
Communications and Recruitment Office
Polytechnique Montréal
T. 514-340-4711, ext. 4415
C. 514-231-8133
annie.touchette@polymtl.ca