Ottawa, 24 November 2016 – The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) today launched a new virtual collaborative environment where stakeholders in the security materials market can co-operate to advance technologies and develop next-generation armour products and systems that will increase the competitiveness of Canadian industry and enhance protection to Canadian soldiers, first responders and security personnel.

This resource is part of the Security Materials Technologies Roadmap (SMTRM) initiative to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative armour products and systems in Canada such as improved ballistic vests for police officers and improved armoured vehicles to protect Canadian soldiers deployed on peacekeeping operations. The virtual tool enables communication and collaboration among Canadian security materials stakeholders, a core mandate of the SMTRM, to strengthen and to align efforts and resources towards prioritized technology development and targeted R&D investments.

 “This new partnership in developing innovative security materials for use in personal protective equipment, and vehicle armour is another example of how the Canadian defence and security industries and the Government of Canada can work together to the benefit of all Canadians,” said CADSI President Christyn Cianfarani. “By collaborating with the NRC and academic experts, the Canadian defence and security industries are encouraging innovation within our member companies and across the security materials community at large.”

The virtual collaborative environment, underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding between CADSI and NRC, provides a forum for likeminded leaders to connect, discuss and identify domestic and global market opportunities and shape future research and development projects accordingly. The resource offers users a central location to find, read and share important technological developments, articles, reports, papers and opinions relevant to the security materials market.

The virtual environment is accessible to security materials companies, end-users, academia, and other government departments through the CADSI website: www.defenceandsecurity.ca.

About CADSI

The Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) is the national industry voice of more than 800 Canadian defence and security companies that produce world-class goods, services and technologies made across Canada and sought the world over. The industries contributes to the employment of more than 63,000 Canadians and generate $10 billion in annual revenues, roughly 60 per cent of which come from exports. To learn more, visit www.defenceandsecurity.ca and follow us on Twitter at @CadsiCanada.

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