Priority sectors

The global population is growing fast, and it needs to eat. The Canadian agri-food sector, which includes everything from primary agriculture and aquaculture to food and beverage processing, is in a strong position to meet this demand and pursue new international opportunities.  

But competition is fierce, and Canadian companies hoping to succeed on a global scale require technology investments, an efficient and sustainable supply chain, and a willingness to embrace risk. 

EDC is committed to helping agri-food companies scale up to seize global opportunities and make Canada a leader in the sector.

Mitigating the impact of climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon economy is an urgent priority for Canada–and the world. 

In 2012, EDC recognized cleantech’s tremendous growth potential and launched our program to support the sector. Since then, we’ve been building our capacity and expertise. 

EDC now has one of the largest, most experienced international project finance teams in the country, and is a leading source of financial solutions for Canadian cleantech companies.

What is cleantech? 

We define cleantech as any process, product or service that reduces environmental impacts through:

• Environmental protection activities that prevent, reduce or eliminate pollution or any other degradation of the environment 
• Resource management activities that result in the more efficient use of natural resources, thus safeguarding against their depletion
• The use of goods that have been adapted to be significantly less energy or resource intensive than the industry standard

Sub-sector focus

We apply this definition to our work across key cleantech sectors and sub-sectors including: 

• Agriculture and forestry 
• Air, environment and remediation 
• Biofuels and bioproducts 
• Energy efficiency and green buildings
• Energy infrastructure
• Extractive and industrial materials
• Recycling and recovery
• Renewable power generation
• Transportation and sustainable mobility
• Water and wastewater

To maximize our impact, the EDC cleantech team focuses on:

• Scaling emerging cleantech companies 
• Providing patient growth and working capital, long-term financing and developmental capital for larger renewable energy developers
• Supporting access to new markets and connections
• Providing decarbonization and net zero transition support
• Working with our partners across federal organizations to align on priorities to accelerate growth and provide input for program and policy development
• Developing sector-specific knowledge and strategies in emerging sectors such as electric vehicles, critical minerals and carbon capture, and resurgent industries, like nuclear and hydrogen.

Learn more about our solutions for cleantech companies

Advanced manufacturing uses innovative technologies to improve processes and develop new products. Areas of focus include:

• automation
• robotics
• additive manufacturing
• the Internet of Things (IoT)

Manufacturing plays a significant role in diversifying the Canadian economy. We have a proud tradition of transforming our country’s natural resources into goods that are integrated into the global supply chain. But now, to continue to prosper, we need to develop new technologies that will make us even more productive, efficient and sustainable. 

Digital technologies have enabled unprecedented growth in the world economy over the past few decades. Today, companies on the cutting edge of digital innovation and industrial automation are breaking new ground in areas such as:

• artificial intelligence (AI)
• connectivity
• digital transformation

These industries will continue to drive economic growth and play a key role in enabling sustainable business practices. For example, reducing carbon emissions relies on access to accurate data and the ability to monitor and respond to that data. AI and IoT can play a significant role in improving these processes. 

Growing Canada’s position in this highly competitive sector requires continuous investments in innovation and international expansion. Well-established advanced technology clusters across the country serve as incubators for innovation in the wireless technology, digital media, and software and computer services industries. With particular emphasis on medium-size companies, EDC supports digital technology companies looking to expand globally.

The natural resources sector has always played a significant role in Canada’s export economy. In past decades, that meant extraction. Today, Canadian companies are meeting demand for sustainable products and developing innovative cleantech and advanced technology solutions that are highly sought after by global resource companies. 

EDC believes that the resource industry’s new focus on value-added products, sustainability and technology promises to drive growth across many sectors of the Canadian economy and help the world address climate change.

Mining 

Canadian mining has a critical role to play in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The industry provides the building blocks for cleantech solutions like wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicle (EV) batteries. At the same time, Canadian mining companies are working to reduce their own environmental footprint by implementing innovative technologies and new practices to achieve that goal. 

Forestry 

EDC envisions a Canadian forestry industry that’s a sustainable, innovative and resilient contributor to our export economy. Companies are reducing their operational costs, improving efficiencies and reducing their environmental footprint. 

The industry is also developing non-traditional forest products (those produced without harvesting a tree) to respond to consumer demand for greener and more sustainable products and product inputs. 

As the global market for forestry products continues to grow, EDC will support Canadian companies in adopting sustainable practices, developing new products, and engaging Indigenous partners and communities.