ABOUT

ABOUT

ABOUT

ABOUT

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Our mission
Promote business development and foster innovation in Quebec’s elastomer industry.
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Our vision
To be recognized as the benchmark in the rubber sector by being a driver of excellence that positions companies for a sustainable and prosperous future.
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Our commitment
Implement innovative projects arising from common issues in order to promote business growth and generate added value, all anchored in a sustainable development approach.

Our achievements

Dusseldorf Eve

Between October 19 and 26, 2022, a technology watch was organized by the Elastomer Valley at Kshow Düsseldorf. A total of 16 participants from 6 member companies took part in this mission. The participants were able to discover the latest developments and innovations in the rubber industry. The circular economy pavilion also allowed several participating companies to attend numerous demonstrations of equipment being tested for the processing and recycling of plastics and rubber.

DIGITAL ECOSYSTEM

In the spring of 2024, The Elastomer Valley has acquired a new innovative digital ecosystem. This initiative allows the niche to position itself as a true must-have in the rubber industry. It includes a visibility panel for each member of the niche (descriptive sheet, interactive map, etc.), relevant documentation, the latest industry news, a calendar of upcoming events, our own market space (coming soon) and much more! Our new digital ecosystem is part of a series of concrete actions aimed at promoting the circular economy and the creation of new green partnerships within the rubber industry.

STUDY OF CIRCULARITY OF POST-INDUSTRIAL DISCHARGES

In January 2023, the Elastomer Valler launched a major study on the circularity of elastomers for the entire industry. The Centre de transfert technologie en écologie industrielle (CTTEI) was mandated to carry it out. This project took place in 4 stages that made it possible to develop circular economy scenarios, reduce landfilling and find new recycling avenues. All of this helped promote innovation in elastomers for the benefit of the province's rubber industry.

EXCHANGE CIRCLE

The Elastomer Valley stands out by organizing, every four months, discussion circles for its members. These events offer a unique opportunity for companies to discuss all kinds of topics related to the field of elastomers. Conferences, corporate speed dating or even research presentations are the types of workshops offered to participants. Holding exchange circles is a concrete means put in place to promote the circular economy, sustainable development as well as support for businesses.

Our strategic axes

1. Sustainable development & circular economy

A reality common to all elastomer producing countries, the recycling problem remains and economically viable solutions are slow to be put in place. Despite some progress already made in Quebec, the niche must intensify its efforts and support our companies in implementing concrete solutions.

3. Supply and marketing

Already identified as an important issue for the sustainability of our businesses, with the demographic curve of employment in Quebec only accentuating this problem, our industry must ensure quality succession. The constant evolution of process technology, the complexity of new products, the increasingly demanding requirements of customers and the economic reality of the company raises the expectations of their employees.

2. Research and development

Innovation is a growth driver that will enable our Quebec businesses to stand out, particularly in terms of technological development to increase the added value of products, as well as sustainable innovation in the field of elastomers. The Quebec elastomers industry must find ways to renew itself. The development of an innovation ecosystem in elastomers through various strategic partnerships remains a crucial element not to be underestimated in the search for solutions. Our companies must coordinate and collaborate to create new value-added elastomer solutions to distinguish themselves globally.

4. Business Support

In the context of a labor shortage, companies in our sector often need to be accompanied or supported for various projects that they wish to put forward. This is why the Vallée des Élastomères is committed to supporting its member companies in their economic development needs. It also supports its companies in the implementation of new technologies and in the development of key technical personnel in collaboration with the sector committee (CSMO).

1. Sustainable development & circular economy

A reality common to all elastomer producing countries, the recycling problem remains and economically viable solutions are slow to be put in place. Despite some progress already made in Quebec, the niche must intensify its efforts and support our companies in implementing concrete solutions.

2. Research and development

Innovation is a growth driver that will enable our Quebec businesses to stand out, particularly in terms of technological development to increase the added value of products, as well as sustainable innovation in the field of elastomers. The Quebec elastomers industry must find ways to renew itself. The development of an innovation ecosystem in elastomers through various strategic partnerships remains a crucial element not to be underestimated in the search for solutions. Our companies must coordinate and collaborate to create new value-added elastomer solutions to distinguish themselves globally.

3. Supply and marketing

Already identified as an important issue for the sustainability of our businesses, with the demographic curve of employment in Quebec only accentuating this problem, our industry must ensure quality succession. The constant evolution of process technology, the complexity of new products, the increasingly demanding requirements of customers and the economic reality of the company raises the expectations of their employees.

4. Business Support

In the context of a labor shortage, companies in our sector often need to be accompanied or supported for various projects that they wish to put forward. This is why the Vallée des Élastomères is committed to supporting its member companies in their economic development needs. It also supports its companies in the implementation of new technologies and in the development of key technical personnel in collaboration with the sector committee (CSMO).

The elastomer industry in figures

$304 million profit

The rubber industry generated profits of approximately $304 million in Quebec in 2019. These figures allow for a profit margin of 17% . The profits generated by this industry experienced an average annual growth of 3.9% between 2015 and 2019.

887 million dollars of exports

In 2020, Quebec exports of rubber products amounted to $887 million . Nearly 90% of these exports are destined for the American market. 6% of its exports are directed to Mexico and the remaining 4% is distributed marginally in a dozen other countries.

6,025 workers

In 2020, 6,025 employees worked in the rubber products manufacturing sector. 80% of companies expect to see growth in their workforce over the next three years. In total, a growth of approximately 4.8% of the current employee pool is expected over three years.

3 industry-leading administrative regions

Estrie, Lanaudière and Montérégie are the three major employment hubs in the rubber industry. In total, these three regions together account for 71% of jobs in the industry. The leading region is Estrie, which is home to one in three workers in the industry in Quebec. Lanaudière accounts for 20% of jobs . Montérégie rounds out the podium with 18% of jobs in the territory.

82 Companies

Quebec has 82 of the 251 Canadian companies operating in the rubber industry on its soil. 52 of them have between 5 and 99 employees, which means that the majority of companies in the rubber industry are considered small. Rubber manufacturing represents 0.6% of manufacturing companies in Quebec.

30% female workforce

The female workforce represents 30% of employees in the rubber industry. The share of women in the tire manufacturing sector is the largest with 37% . The other sector best represented by the female workforce is the other rubber products manufacturing sector with 33% of female employees.

Our partners