Aluminum to replace diesel? Canada grants $2.81m for AlumaPower’s energy-generation tech

AlumaPower, Canada’s Sarnia-based manufacturer of aluminum-powered generators, has secured a C$4 million ($2.81 million) federal grant to advance its technology towards commercial launch. The funding, provided through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), would be reinforcing the company’s expansion into defense and telecommunications markets. 

Moving away from the traditional power-generating feedstock of diesel, the development also sends a signal to securing a greener future with aluminum recycling.

Recycled aluminum technology moves towards market

AlumaPower’s generator system uses recycled aluminum to produce electricity and has been under development with the Canadian military for the past four years. The company is now preparing to bring the technology to market.

“We are entering into another exciting new chapter now,” stated CEO Rob Alexander.

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While defense applications remain a key focus, Alexander said the generators could also provide backup power for cell towers and communities in Canada’s Far North, potentially replacing diesel generators.

The federal grant forms part of an $8 million investment, with AlumaPower matching the government’s contribution.

The funding was announced by Sarnia-Lambton-Bkejwanong MP Marilyn Gladu on behalf of FedDev Ontario and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon.

“Sarnia knows how to build things,” Gladu noted at AlumaPower’s facility, pointing to the region’s manufacturing base. She added that “having a good idea is not enough” without the equipment, investment and customers needed to turn it into a viable business.

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Promart also receives support for advanced manufacturing

The announcement included almost C$900,000 for fellow Sarnia-based company Promart Industrial Products through a regional tariff relief initiative. Promart plans to invest a total of $2 million in facility upgrades and advanced manufacturing equipment, including robotic welding, laser cutting and automated material handling.

The investment is intended to strengthen its ability to compete for Canadian nuclear and energy projects, data center construction and major infrastructure work.

“We want to compete for more Canadian nuclear work, more energy projects, more data centre construction and major infrastructure,” said Marc Parizeau, Promart Industrial Products’ vice president of operations.

Reflecting on the tariff-related disruption facing Canadian businesses, Parizeau mentioned, “Because the question is not just how do we get through this disruption. It’s what we want our businesses to be able to do on the other side of it.”

AlumaPower’s new initiative marks another step ahead in the materialization of the metal’s circularity, thereby taking aluminum recycling goals further down the sustainability path. Additionally, it indicates at an attempt to protect Canadian manufacturing from tariff pressure while allocating funds to clean-power and defense-related technology.  

Showcase your brand, aluminum recycling initiatives and sustainability vision in our upcoming magazine: Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium’s Commitment 2026.