The Edmonton Region: Global Leaders of the STEM Revolution
The Edmonton region is well on its way towards achieving our post-pandemic economic recovery goals, and we have tech, innovation and science to thank for it.
Last month, we shone a spotlight on the Edmonton International Airport as an example of regional economic success. Today, I want to highlight the exciting accomplishments and economic impact of three of our partners in tech, innovation and clean energy: Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API), Heidelberg Materials and Air Products.
Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API)
API is a not-for-profit organization with an expert interdisciplinary team that works with a network of collaborating organizations. They provide the expertise, services, and infrastructure of a pharmaceutical company, while helping innovators launch their ideas into the real world, connecting industry to the services they need for commercial success, and accelerating all aspects of the drug development process.
Last month, API announced that in an effort to lead the way to a bright future for life sciences, they would be leveraging the Government of Canada’s support of $80.5 million by launching Canadian Critical Drug Initiative (CCDI) — a revolutionary project that will create a research, commercialization and manufacturing hub in Edmonton. This means building a 40,000+ sq ft state of the art manufacturing facility that is able to produce 70M new doses of critical medicines annually, upgrading the 72,000 sq. ft. Biotechnology Business Development Centre (BBDC), producing up to 4 critical hospital drugs that are high-risk due to market challenges and creating a sustainable supply, and creating more than 350 high quality jobs in the Edmonton region!
Some of the medicines that are being produced can treat and/or prevent illnesses like hepatitis C, COVID-19, herpes viruses, cancer, group A streptococcus, Alzheimer’s disease and others. CCDI creates a commercialization pipeline so those discoveries can be tested and produced locally, right here in the Edmonton region.
Read more here.
Heidelberg Materials
Heidelberg Materials is one of the world’s largest integrated manufacturers of building materials and solutions with leading market positions in cement, aggregates, and ready-mixed concrete. Their products and services are used in the construction of houses, infrastructure, commercial and industrial facilities, and their presence in Canada is both prominent and successful.
Earlier this month, Heidelberg Materials Canada announced that thanks to funding from the Federal Government, they would be constructing the world’s first net-zero Carbon Capture and Storage Facility (CCUS) in the cement industry, right here in the Edmonton region! The new facility, which Heidelberg Materials anticipates being operational by late 2026, will capture more than 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually from its Edmonton cement production facility, and the combined heat and power facility that is integrated with the capture process. This facility will also be employing over 2000 people across Alberta during its three year construction period, and cements Heidelberg’s status as a decarbonization industry leader. This project is projected to create a substantial economic boost for the Edmonton region, in addition to contributing to talent retention and advancing our climate action goals.
Read more here.
Air Products
Air Products is a global organization, focused on serving energy, environment and emerging markets. They provide essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemical, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food and beverage. As a global leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, Air Products has massive potential, with an impressive trajectory thus far.
In November, it was announced that Air Products had secured over $475M in provincial and federal funding to support a net-zero hydrogen energy complex in the Edmonton region, making Air Products leaders in operating one of the most competitive and lowest-carbon-intensity hydrogen networks in the world.This funding will diversify our economy by spurring innovation, attracting investments, and delivering on clean energy initiatives that help our region reach our environmental targets. At this weekend’s Canadian Hydrogen Convention, it was announced that Air Products will also be building the first commercial-scale hydrogen refueling station in Edmonton too! Scheduled to open in early 2025, hydrogen refueling station is supported in part by $1 million (CAD) in funding from Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, and will put Edmonton on the world stage of clean energy innovation and action.
Edmonton is home to some of the world’s most brilliant and boldest innovators, makers, technicians, dreamers, engineers and business leaders. With new and exciting initiatives being announced frequently in our city, and with more global leaders choosing Edmonton as their ideal region for investment, trade and entrepreneurship, I am confident that our economy will not only improve, but will inspire similar growth in our partnered municipalities. I look forward to highlighting more of our region’s economic drivers in the weeks to come as we prepare for State of the City 2023.
Together, we can build an Edmonton for all of us.
Read my last blog about the Edmonton region’s hydrogen economy here.
