Deep Tech Canada Advanced Materials Trade Mission to Germany and the Netherlands
September 29 to October 3, 2025
Strengthening Canada–Europe Collaboration in Advanced Materials
Deep Tech Canada successfully led an Advanced Materials Trade Mission to Germany and the Netherlands, in partnership with Bioindustrial Innovation Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service. The mission brought together leading Canadian innovators and organizations to explore collaboration, commercialization, and research opportunities across Europe’s advanced materials ecosystem.
The delegation visited leading organizations shaping Germany’s materials and manufacturing landscape, including Fraunhofer IWS DOC Surface Centre, Technologiezentrum Dortmund, M.ST Factory, IVAM Microtechnology Network, RAITH GmbH, and Elmos Semiconductor. These visits highlighted Dortmund’s strengths spanning automotive electronics, nanofabrication, and photonics.
Canada was featured as the official partner country at the 11th NRW Nano Conference, Europe’s leading nanotechnology conference. The Canadian delegation showcased national expertise in nanotechnology, materials science, and sustainability, with several members contributing as speakers. Pierre Kennepohl, Associate Dean for Community and Innovation, Faculty of Science & Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary provided a keynote speech on automated laboratories and smart innovation.
The delegation also met with Evelyne Coulombe, Chargée d’Affaires to Germany, and Mona Neubaur, Minister of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia, to discuss advancing Canadian–German innovation partnerships.
In Münster, the delegation visited CeNTech GmbH, University of Münster, and the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production (FFB). Discussions covered nanotechnology, quantum communication, battery materials, and opportunities for EU collaboration. A networking lunch and city tour further connected Canadian and German partners.
The mission concluded in Enschede, the Netherlands, at the University of Twente’s MESA+ Institute, one of Europe’s premier centres for nanotechnology and advanced materials.
The program featured presentations from both Canadian and Dutch researchers on funding opportunities, catalysis, characterization, advanced materials, and a session from Novel T that highlighted regional startups and reinforced opportunities for partnerships, followed by a tour of the MESA+ Nanolab.
Through this mission, Canada strengthened its partnerships with Germany and the Netherlands, which are key gateways to Europe’s innovation ecosystem. These connections will enable greater collaboration in advanced materials, expand export opportunities, and drive shared progress toward a sustainable, technology-driven economy.
This mission was made possible through the support and partnership of Bioindustrial Innovation Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service. Thank you to our delegates and partners for your energy, leadership, and contributions to a highly successful mission.
Deep Tech Canada acknowledges that Indigenous Peoples have been and continue to be the traditional guardians of this land we call Canada, where we live and work.