For nearly 40 years, companies in the textile industry have relied on innovative ideas from CTT Group experts to propel their technological innovation projects.
The Center’s Team in 1996-1997
The Center’s Team in 1997-1998
The Textile Technology Centre is moving to its current facility.
CTT GROUP BACK STORY
Founded in 1983, the Centre des Technologies Textiles (former name of CTT Group), is a technology transfer centre set up by the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe at the request of the ministère de l’Éducation du Québec. Initially, it aimed to provide technical services to the textile and paratextile industry focused primarily on conducting standardized tests.
In 1983, Dr. Camille Laurin, then Minister of Education for Quebec, announces the creation of six specialized centres across Quebec, including the Centre spécialisé des textiles. Associated with the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, the specialized centre becomes responsible for offering applied research services (quality control, control of manufacturing processes, development of textile products with new characteristics), technical assistance (analysis and standardized testing services), information and training. Furthermore, to properly fulfill its function of facilitator in the socio-economic environment, the centre forms a consultation and concensus table, bringing together stakeholders from the textile world.
The Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe has been offering training in textiles since 1968. And since it was the only establishment to offer such training in Canada, the Cégep joined forces in 1977 with the Centre de recherche industrielle du Québec (CRIQ) to offer the textile and paratextile industry a range of technical services mainly focusing on conducting standardized tests. Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe continued this path by creating a Textile Test and Development Service (SEDTEX) in 1979 which will then be integrated into the Specialized Textile Centre.
Furthermore, in 1980, the Quebec Ministry of Industry and Commerce launched Protextile, “Le centre québécois de productivité du textile”, then headed by Pierre Cartier and created at the same time as the six other productivity centers for the textile industry in Quebec. In 1986, Protextile merged with the Specialized Textile Centre to form the Textile Technology Centre (TTC), under the direction of Christine Martel.
In 1987, close collaboration took shape with Polytechnique Montréal and resulted in the formation of the Geosynthetic Analysis Service (SAGEOS). In 1992 and for a few years, the Textile Technology Centre partnered equally with the consulting engineering firm SOLMERS (acquired in 2008 by Genivar, which became WSP in 2014) in order to boost SAGEOS.
Gérard Lombard and Ray-Marc Dumoulin replaced Christine Martel as CEOs of TTC, in 1993 and 1995 respectively. In 2000, Jacek Mlynarek was appointed President and CEO of CTT Group, until 2019. Olivier Vermeersch succeeded him and has been leading the CTT Group ever since.
In 2000, the new name, CTT Group, formalized the merger of the Textile Technology Centre and SAGEOS. CTT Group becomes the sole shareholder in order to be able to unequivocally serve all players, and for the benefit of this flourishing industry in geotextiles, geomembranes and other manufactured products for the civil engineering, environmental and construction sectors, while clearly continuing to serve the textile industry in its multiple markets : protection and defense, transportation, clothing and furnishings, health, sports and industrial products.
In 2021, the CTT Group is revising its corporate identity in order to ensure a strong presence in the field and to offer a homogeneous identification with its various trademarks. This identity will be based on its original acronym: CTT, with the intention of increasing its reputation for excellence and reference in the country and internationally.
Thus, over the years, CTT Group’s mission has broadened. The organization today responds to industry needs through a range of diversified services: technical and technological expertise, applied research, process or product development, laboratory analyses, customized training and technology watch.
IMPORTANT DATES IN CTT GROUP’S HISTORY
1987
The Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, in collaboration with the Society of Textile Graduates (SDT) and with the Textile Technology Centre, establishes the TECHNI-TEX conference to support training and the industry. CTT becomes co-organizer of the second edition of the conference in 1989.
1987
The Textile Technology Centre is ISO 17025 accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, an accreditation it still holds and improves regularly during renewal audits.
1989-1994
Providing the Textile Technology Centre with significant five-year support from the Department of Industry, Science and Technology Canada through the Technology Outreach Program.
1994
The Textile Technology Centre moves to its current facilities, on Boullé Street in Saint-Hyacinthe, in a new building inaugurated with major contributors in attendance.
1994
First edition of the HIGHTEX conference bringing together the 24th International Canadian Textile Seminar and the TECHNI-TEX conference.
1995-2000
The second five-year grant for Technology Showcase Program from Industry Canada, with the goal of achieving self-financing for the Textile Technology Centre upon completion.
1997
The Textile Technology Centre takes over activities of The Textile Journal.
1999
First grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation which, in the following year, allows for the expansion of facilities by adding four laboratories.
2000
The Textile Technology Centre changes its name to CTT Group, bringing together the Textile Technology Centre, SAGEOS and The Textile Journal. In addition, CTT Group takes over the HIGHTEX Conference banner and organises its second edition at the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe. SAGEOS then also organizes the first Geosynthetic Forum (FG 2000).
Recognition of the Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute’s Laboratory Accreditation Program (GAI-LAP) accreditation on behalf of the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), recognizing CTT Group’s expertise under the SAGEOS banner.
2003
CTT Group establishes a Business Development Services Division, whose mandate is to offer the industry a marketing tool developed in partnership with it to open the door to the development of new products and provide access to new markets.
2004
The 2004 edition of HIGHTEX becomes an important turning point, the event becomes EXPO HIGHTEX when an exhibition component for technical textiles is added. Subsequent editions are held in Montreal.
2005
First edition of the Team Textile Canada mission. Organized by the Business Development Services while CTT Group becomes a major player in supporting the transformation of the textile industry, it is largely affected by the end of the multi-fibre agreement through Industry Canada’s Canadian Textile and Clothing Industries Program (CTIP).
2006
Implementation, in partnership with the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), of the geotextile quality certification program, based on the GCTTG 3001-06 specification which, in 2017, becomes BNQ 7009-210: Geotextiles used in road engineering – Classification, characteristics and testing methods.
2007
Recognition of CTT Group as an approved design organization by Transport Canada: Delegated Authority DAO # 07-Q-02.
2007
Fourth status renewal of the Collegial Technology Centre for the CTT Group for a period of 5 years and launch of works on the implementation of the Technological Roadmap for the Canadian Textile Industry.
2008
CTT Group is celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Textile Journal with a special issue, as well as the 25th anniversary of CTT Group.
2008
Launch of the Technology Roadmap for the Canadian Textile Industry.
2009
Jacek Mlynarek receives the Builder Award, Innovation System from ADRIQ, at the Innovation Gala.
2008 à 2010
Active participation in the creation of ACCORD niches in the field of Technical Textile Materials (Chaudières-Appalache, 2008), Technical Textiles (Centre of Québec, 2009) and Advanced Flexible Materials (Montérégie, 2010).
2010
Creation of a directory for the Canadian textile industry.
2011
Expansion of CTT Group’s facilities by adding the Innovative Technical Textiles Pavilion and Organization, in collaboration with the Canadian Police Research Center (CPRC), in the third annual edition of Advanced Workwear Canada, in Toronto.
2012
Installation of the 3D textile research pavilion in leased premises in an industrial district of St-Hyacinthe and associated specialized equipment: a 3D weaving loom, an automated braiding machine, an automated cutting and processing unit, and a sewing unit and assembly of large preforms with complex geometry.
2012
Creation of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Innovative Technical Textiles (NEXTEX Research Chair) with the support of 5 founding industrial partners: Filspec, Logistik Unicorp, Beltech Products, Stedfast, Soleno Textiles.
2013
Establishment of a collaboration with Underwriters Laboratories – UL LLC for product certification tests: Third Party Test Data Program (TPTDP).
2015
Establishment of the Flammability Laboratory incorporating the Flash Fire Man® instrumented mannequin for the performance evaluation of textiles and protective clothing against instantaneous fires, thanks to financial support from Economic Development Canada for regions in Quebec.
2014
Olivier Vermeersch receives the FRQNT Award of Excellence, which recognizes the exceptional contribution of a researcher to the advancement of knowledge, the recognition of his or her accomplishments at the international level and their impact on Quebec.
2015
Discontinuation of The Textile Journal activities.
2017
Renewal of the NEXTEX Research Chair, implementation of CTT Group’s R&D “Membership” program and Launch of the NEXTEX Chair’s weekly electronic technology watch newsletter, produced for its members.
2020
Involvement in development 7 days a week and 14 hours a day for 2 months in collaboration with the local industry of reusable medical PPE, to alleviate the global shortage of disposable PPE due to the COVID-19 pandemic; installation of associated testing equipment.
2020
Ms. Justine Decaens, R&D Director, receives the “The Women in FHE STEM Award” from the Intelliflex Alliance, while Ms. Patricia Forcier, Project Manager, receives the PRIMA Québec Recognition Award, given to a research professional in recognition of his or her excellent contribution to an industrial project.
2021
Online directory of the Canadian Textile industry in partnership with Technitextile Quebec: WEAVE.
2021
Start of a major project to expand the CTT Group’s facilities, with construction expected to begin in 2025.
2021
Establishment of the Ecotextile Chair, an institutional chair of the CTT Group, and appointment of its holder, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim. Parallel adhesion of the CTT Group to the EVO 2030 program in order to accelerate the adoption of eco-responsible practices.
2022
Organization of ITMC 2022, in Montreal, a first in North America for this international congress.
