Centre de métallurgie du Québec

What Centre de métallurgie du Québec does

Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) is a Centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières, operating in Trois-Rivières, Quebec since 1985. The center delivers applied research, technology transfer, accredited laboratory testing, non-destructive testing (NDT) training and certification, and specialized metallurgical consulting to industrial clients. CMQ serves approximately 225 manufacturing companies annually, of which 64% are industrial partners across aerospace, aluminum transformation, industrial machinery, water treatment, nuclear, and consumer goods sectors. The organization organizes its research portfolio around five axes: aluminum processing, additive manufacturing, new alloys, corrosion electrochemistry and metal protection, and non-destructive testing.

Technical capabilities are anchored by an ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory equipped for chemical and mechanical characterization (SEM, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, thermal analysis), and by advanced metallurgical equipment including M-Flex ExOne binder jetting, Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Directed Energy Deposition (LENS 450XL), Fabrisonic SonicLayer 4000 ultrasonic metal printing, HVOF and plasma thermal spray systems, and Consarc vacuum induction melting. CMQ is the only bilingual certified NDT training and examination center in Quebec, with recognition extending across Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Revenue is generated through fee-for-service R&D projects, professional training and certification, accredited laboratory testing, and facilitation of government funding programs including NSERC-CCI grants (ARD, Engage), Innovation Passport, PART, and Quebec research consortiums (CRITM, PRIMA, CRIAQ, MEDTEC). Direct government investment supplements operations, including a $1.64M federal RIDI contribution in 2026 and a $500K Canada Foundation for Innovation grant in 2023. Distribution leverages the Tech-Access Canada network of 59 college technology transfer centers and direct enterprise sales across Quebec, Canada, and internationally for NDT certification services.

Name

Centre de métallurgie du Québec

Legal name

Centre de metallurgie du Quebec

Website

https://cmqtr.qc.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) is a college technology transfer center affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières providing applied metallurgical R&D, ISO 17025 accredited lab testing, NDT certification training, and specialized equipment access to industrial manufacturers across aerospace, defense, and energy sectors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Trois-rivières

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government R&D Funding Programs: CMQ facilitates access to multiple government funding programs including PART (Ministry of Education), Innovation Passport, RSP-SIIRI, NSERC-CCI grants (ARD, Engage, College-Community Innovation), and Quebec research consortiums (CRITM, PRIMA, CRIAQ, MEDTEC)
2. Applied R&D Services: Fee-for-service research and development projects for industrial partners, including failure analysis, material characterization, process optimization, and technology development
3. Professional Training and Certification: NDT certification courses and specialized metallurgy training programs, with course durations ranging from 6 to 80 hours, delivered at CMQ, CRIQ Montreal, or client facilities
4. Laboratory Testing Services: Accredited laboratory testing services including metallurgical analysis, mechanical testing, corrosion testing, and non-destructive evaluation
5. Defense Sector Investment: $1,641,900 federal investment under Regional Initiative for Defence Investments (RIDI) for Nadcap accreditation and strategic equipment acquisition

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) is a Centre collégial de transfert technologique (CCTT) affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières that delivers applied metallurgical research and development, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory testing (mechanical, chemical, corrosion and failure analysis), and certified non-destructive testing (NDT) training to industrial manufacturers in Quebec and across Canada. The organization supports process improvement, product development and workforce training for metalworking companies through technical assistance, prototyping, additive manufacturing, surface treatment and qualification programs.

Product overview

Centre de métallurgie du Québec (CMQ) is a technology transfer centre affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières, offering a portfolio of interconnected metallurgical research and testing services. The core offerings include applied R&D across five research axes (aluminium processing, additive manufacturing, new alloys, corrosion protection, and NDT), supported by an ISO 17025:2017 accredited laboratory, an ONGC-certified NDT training and examination centre, specialized metallurgy training courses, and access to specialized equipment. These services work together to serve industrial partners seeking to improve products, processes, and material performance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Applied Metallurgical R&D

Quantifiable outcome

• 225 manufacturing companies served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NucléomcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Collaborated with Nucléom on IDEeS (Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security) program challenge for corrosion detection aboard naval vessels, combining NDT expertise with nuclear imaging technology.
• Tech-Access CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMQ is a member of the Tech-Access Canada network, a national network of 59 college technology transfer centers (CCTT) in Quebec, facilitating knowledge sharing, collaborative research, and technology transfer across Canadian industry.
• Natural Resources Canada (RNCan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMQ is a Recognized Training Organization and Authorized Examination Center for ONGC certification in non-destructive testing methods, operating under Natural Resources Canada oversight.
• IRH (Institut de recherche sur l'hydrogène) - UQTRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerElena Ulate Kolitsky from CMQ's Transition Energetique expertise group collaborates with UQTR's Hydrogen Research Institute on metal hydride research for hydrogen storage applications.
• Cégep de Trois-RivièrescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMQ has been affiliated with Cégep de Trois-Rivières since 1985, operating as one of its CCTT research centers and sharing facilities, expertise, and academic resources.
• Quebec Research Consortiums (CRITM, PRIMA, CRIAQ, MEDTEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMQ participates in Quebec research consortiums providing complementary support for projects funded by private sector partners, with technology maturity level determining 20-40% project support.
• Chaire de Recherche en Transformation de l'aluminiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMQ is home to a Research Chair in Aluminum Transformation, supporting specialized research and development in aluminum processing technologies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Element Materials Technology: Element is a global commercial materials testing and product qualification laboratory serving aerospace, defense, and industrial clients. It directly competes with CMQ's ISO 17025 accredited lab and Nadcap-targeting qualification services, particularly for defense primes seeking Canadian-certified partners.
• Bodycote plc: Bodycote is the world's largest commercial heat treatment and metallurgical services provider, offering thermal processing, Hot Isostatic Pressing, and materials testing. It is a direct competitor in commercial-scale metallurgical services and additive manufacturing post-processing for industrial customers.
• Hatch Ltd. Hatch is a global engineering and project delivery consultancy with substantial materials testing, metallurgy, and failure analysis practices serving mining, energy, and industrial clients. It competes with CMQ for applied metallurgical consulting and laboratory testing engagements in heavy industry.
• CRIQ (Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec): CRIQ is Quebec's applied industrial research center, providing testing, prototyping, and technology transfer to Quebec manufacturers. CMQ already partners with CRIQ for NDT training delivery, and both organizations share a CCTT-style mandate of bridging applied research and SME industrial needs.
• CanmetMATERIALS: CanmetMATERIALS is Natural Resources Canada's federal metallurgical and materials R&D laboratory. Like CMQ, it performs applied metallurgy research, materials characterization, and failure analysis for Canadian industry and government clients, making it the closest public-sector peer in scope and mandate.

Broad incumbents

• Intertek Canada: Intertek is a global TIC company with Canadian operations providing materials testing, product qualification, and certification services. It overlaps with CMQ's testing and qualification offerings as a broader incumbent with deeper commercial scale and international reach.
• SGS Canada: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company, with Canadian operations covering materials testing, NDT, and metallurgical analysis. It competes with CMQ for industrial testing contracts while also serving as a broader incumbent across multiple industries.
• National Research Council of Canada (NRC): NRC is Canada's largest federal applied research organization with multi-disciplinary labs including industrial materials research. It overlaps with CMQ's R&D and technology transfer mandate but at much broader scale and across many sectors beyond metallurgy.
• Bureau Veritas Canada: Bureau Veritas is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) incumbent with established Canadian labs offering metallurgical, mechanical, and NDT testing services. It competes with CMQ across manufacturing, energy, and aerospace testing work with a wider geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Polytechnique Montréal - Department of Mechanical Engineering: Polytechnique Montréal conducts academic and applied research in metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and materials characterization, with industry-funded projects that overlap CMQ's R&D scope. It represents an adjacent academic player rather than a direct competitor, but competes for talent and industrial research partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cmq

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centre de métallurgie du Québec