Colas Canada is redefining the future of transportation infrastructure through groundbreaking innovation and an unmatched commitment to excellence. Powered by a global network of advanced research and development facilities, including three research centers and a cold process laboratory in Canada, Colas delivers cutting-edge solutions that transform challenges into opportunities.
Research and development at Colas Canada
Research centres
GECAN
Acheson, AB
GECAN, a part of Colas company Canadian Road Builder’s, operates one of the largest research centres of its kind in Western Canada. Located in Acheson, AB, the facility features state-of-the-art equipment ranging from UV microscopes to Dynamic Shear Rheometers. The wide range of equipment allows the team at GECAN to perform nearly any existing binder test as well as less common tests such as crumb rubber toughness and tenacity. The facility also plays a key role in mix formulation, blending, and design.
MCASPHALT
Toronto, ON | Montreal, QC | Edmonton, AB | Regina, SK
McAsphalt is Colas’ trusted partner in Canada for research and development activities. McAsphalt’s network of research centres and cold profess laboratories actively pursue innovative ideas aimed at the continuous improvement of asphalt materials and processes. Using the most modern equipment, McAsphalt ensures quality and accuracy, keeping road building materials efficient, innovative, and cost-effective.
CORE CENTRE
Paris, France
The Core Center, located in the Paris region, designs and develops products and technologies that address energy transition priorities and respond to new usage patterns. As the world’s leading private R&D center, its missions are to provide technical support and high-level expertise to Colas’ subsidiaries, develop products and processes, and integrate mobility solutions into infrastructure projects.
In conjunction with the Group’s regional laboratories located in all the geographic regions where Colas operates, the Core Center takes responsible mobility products, techniques and infrastructure solutions from concept through to delivery via development and testing.
The Core Center also serves as a hub for all Colas know-how and coordinates the technical network. The role of the Core Center, which employs about a thousand people, is to deliver rapid solutions to issues faced by operating entities in the field on a day-to-day basis.
Innovation partnerships
Innovation partnerships
Colas Canada and the Colas Group are proud to adopt an open innovation approach with the aim of developing collaborative innovation projects. We develop partnerships with institutions across Canada and around the world to expand our collective expertise and continue to be at the forefront of offering cutting-edge transportation infrastructure solutions. Examples of our partnerships include:
- Academic partnerships with collaborate on scientific and R&D projects
- Partnerships with public organizations to come together on innovative initiatives to improve our communities
- Partnerships with private companies, start-ups, and industry groups to advance safety, sustainability and competitiveness
Mix design and testing services
Mix design and testing services
Colas Canada, backed by expertise of our companies, The Colas Group, and our industry partners at McAsphalt provide our clients with professional consulting as well as specialized pavement design. With a dedicated team of experienced personnel and a national network of research facilities, we push the boundaries of what is possible in transportation infrastructure.
Our facilities offer:
- Materials testing for asphalt products, aggregates, crack sealants, waterproofing membranes, and line paint
- Formulation and blending for recycled asphalt pavement (RAP)
