Background

Background

1993:

Dr Claude Allaire, currently acting as principal scientist at the Arvida Research and Development Center of Alcan International Limited, took on a new challenge by joining, as professor-researcher, the Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal’s research group on industrial ceramics and refractories, also known since 1994 as CIREP.

His main mission was to diversify the group’s research activities that were then focused on refractories for the steel industry. This was how the group’s research activities on refractories for the non-ferrous industry, in particular the aluminum industry, came forth and continued along with the existing activities during the following years.

More than one hundred companies throughout the world were able, over the years, to take advantage of CIREP’s expertise since then recognized worldwide.

2000:

Dr. Allaire, teaching master, becomes chair holder of the NSERC Chair on Refractories focused on the “high temperature confinement materials for the aluminum industry”, known as REFRAL.

2005:

Dr. Allaire leaves the academic world and founds the CIR Laboratory with the following objectives:

  • To deserve a larger pool of industries concerned by industrial ceramics and refractories, including the petrochemistry and the cement manufacturers;
  • To offer high quality analysis, testing, consulting, R&D and training services;
  • To guaranty minimal time delivery;
  • To insure an absolute confidentiality.

2006:

To respect its mission, CIR Laboratory diversifies its activities to be able to cater to the increasing specifics needs of industries working in the metallurgy and plastic fields.

2007:

Following the success of its first phase of diversification, CIR Laboratory undertakes a second phase of diversification of its activities to serve the mining industry and those concerned by the rising environment challenges.

2008:

To insure the continuous up-grading of its services, CIR Laboratory adopts a quality policy and obtains its ISO 9001:2000 Certification. This certification covers research, tests and analyses, as well as the training in industrial materials science.