TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/04/13 -- Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), recognize Orbite Aluminae Inc., based in Montreal, Quebec, as national winner of the 2012 Regional Awards for New Technology.

Orbite Aluminae Inc. is a Canadian cleantech company whose innovative technologies are setting the new standard for alumina production. Orbite technologies enable environmentally-neutral extraction of smelter-grade alumina (SGA), high-purity alumina (HPA) and high-value elements, including rare earths and rare metals, from a variety of sources such as aluminous clay and bauxite, without generating toxic red mud residue.

Orbite's operations have a negligible environmental impact compared to the conventional process of extracting alumina from bauxite. The Orbite process of producing metallurgical-grade alumina involves crushing and then acid leaching the aluminous claystone found at the company's Grande-Vallee property. Orbite's unique technology consumes less energy and generates less pollution then and no caustic by-products.

The company owns 14 different families of intellectual property rights filed across the world for the extraction of alumina at the highest standards of sustainability (www.orbitealuminae.com).

"Orbite Aluminea's award underlines the role of innovation and technologies in the sustainable development of our economy, a major issue for our members. This award recognizes the leadership of Orbite Aluminea and shows that environmental concerns and competitiveness can go hand in hand," said Simon Prevost, president of CME Quebec. Orbite Aluminae Inc. was also named the regional winner for this awards category.

The NRC IRAP Regional Award for New Technology recognizes innovative excellence in the development, adoption, and application of new technology in process or products. These awards provide SMEs with an opportunity to demonstrate their unique and innovative excellence in the development and application of new technologies.

About CME

Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) is Canada's largest trade and industry association, and the voice of manufacturing and global business in Canada.

The association represents more than 10,000 leading companies nationwide. More than 85 per cent of CME's members are small and medium-sized enterprises. As Canada's leading business network, CME - through various initiatives including the establishment of the Canadian Manufacturing Coalition - touches more than 100,000 companies from coast to coast, engaged in manufacturing, global business and service-related industries.

CME's membership network accounts for an estimated 82 per cent of Canadian manufacturing production and 90 per cent of goods and services exports.