Scandium Canada Ltd. (TSX-V: SCD) announced the execution of a mutual non-disclosure agreement with the University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (MSAM) to explore additive manufacturing of aluminum-scandium alloys. The collaboration marks a significant step toward commercializing these advanced materials for industries such as aerospace, automotive, and defense.
The agreement was preceded by a visit from Luc Duchesne, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of Scandium Canada and Head of its Scandium+ division, to MSAM's facility at Catalyst137 in Kitchener, Ontario. MSAM is recognized as one of Canada's leading additive manufacturing research centres, with over $25 million in state-of-the-art equipment and a strong international reputation for metal 3D printing, process optimization, and development of specialized alloys.
The research will be led by Professor Mihaela Vlasea, Ph.D., Co-Director of MSAM and Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Sustainable Additive Manufacturing, along with Research Associate Mohsen K. Keshavarz, Ph.D. The work will be coordinated by Dr. Duchesne. The initial focus is on developing processes to reduce the cost of advanced manufacturing using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF), a key technology for metal 3D printing.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to generating concrete commercial opportunities for aluminum-scandium alloys,” said Guy Bourassa, Chief Executive Officer of Scandium Canada. “Working alongside MSAM, a top-tier Canadian research and development organization with deep market expertise and a strong business network, represents a significant step toward achieving our objectives.”
Aluminum-scandium alloys offer superior strength, weldability, and corrosion resistance compared to conventional aluminum alloys, making them attractive for lightweighting applications. However, the high cost of scandium and processing challenges have limited widespread adoption. By optimizing additive manufacturing processes, the collaboration aims to lower production costs and broaden the spectrum of market opportunities.
“It is exciting to engage with the industry ecosystem to address pressing supply chain needs for metal additive manufacturing,” said Dr. Vlasea. The partnership aligns with MSAM's mission to develop advanced manufacturing solutions and qualify specialized alloys for industrial applications.
Scandium Canada's Scandium+ division is dedicated to research, development, and commercialization of innovative scandium uses. The company is also advancing its Crater Lake mining project in Quebec, which aims to become a primary source of scandium. According to the company, the collaboration with MSAM could accelerate the adoption of aluminum-scandium alloys in additive manufacturing, potentially disrupting supply chains for high-performance components.
The agreement is subject to forward-looking statements and risks outlined in Scandium Canada's disclosure documents on SEDAR+. The company noted that actual results may differ materially from expectations due to various uncertainties and contingencies.
