Wind Energy: Government of Canada Grants $53,145 in Funding to B&B Brake Pads Inc. for Development of New Product

GASPÉ, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 14, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the firm B&B Brake Pads Inc. received $53,145 in repayable funding to develop a new brake pad system for high-powered wind turbines.

"The Government of Canada decided to lend its support to B&B Brake Pads not only because this enterprise is engaging in innovation, but also because, through its sector of activity, it is helping promote sustainable development and green energy," said Minister Lebel.

Founded in 2008, the company focuses its activities on the research and development of durable, high-quality brake pads for megawatt wind turbines. Before launching into the manufacture of its product, the enterprise was required to complete three important operations: the metallographic characterization of the components, the development of the manufacturing process and the design of a prototype for testing at specialized wind turbine test beds in Europe. To do this, B&B Brake Pads has partnered with the Centre de métallurgie du Québec (with the assistance of Université Laval), the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Materials Institute and the Wind Energy TechnoCentre, whose role is to validate the results of this testing in northern climates.

If the tests prove positive, B&B Brake Pads Inc. could become Canada's first manufacturer of these wind turbine components. The extremely high demand for this new product should enable the firm to position itself advantageously on domestic as well as international markets. This project, which was carried out a cost of $108,290, is considered a priority for the economic diversification of Gaspésie and will serve to strengthen the wind energy industrial cluster on the peninsula. This funding was granted through Canada Economic Development's Business and Regional Growth program.

For more on B&B Brake Pads Inc., visit www.bnbbp.com.

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