Written by Julia Pen is a Business Administration - Marketing student
Ever wonder how a chemical plant operates?
Thanks to Myant X engineer David Kurceba, students from Mohawk College’s Chemical Engineering Technology program were able to gain the knowledge and skills needed to support research, development and manufacturing.
With this opportunity, students aren’t just learning in class but are also getting hands-on experiential learning focused on scale-up and manufacturing processes in an industrial facility that runs complex chemical and physical processes using specialized equipment.
A semester three field trip to Myant X in Mississauga, a leader in the world of textile computing and advanced materials, took place during the last week of the fall semester as part of the experiential learning component in CHEM10037 Chemical Plant Operations course.
What is a Chemical Plant?
Before we dive in, what do we even know about a chemical plant? Well, if you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside a chemical plant, think of it as a giant and carefully controlled kitchen, with way more safety gear and fewer snacks. Instead of cooking food, chemical plants “cook” raw materials to create new products through reactions, mixing, heating, cooling and filtering.
Why Myant X Stands Out
Unlike traditional chemical facilities, Myant X focuses on advanced materials and smart textiles, blending chemistry with innovation. Their plant uses specialized processes to create materials for wearable technology, medical applications and next-generation manufacturing. This made it the perfect place for students to see where the industry is heading.
What Students Saw on Tour
During the visit, students got an inside look at real operational and production processes, including the pilot plant, where chemical processes are scaled up from the laboratory through bench-scale engineering process development. They also toured the chemical plant which includes 3,000 to 5,000-gallon reactors. Along with having plenty of questions answered, it was a great networking opportunity.
A Boost Towards Future Careers
By observing a fully operational chemical production environment, students were able to connect academic concepts to real-world industrial operations. Experiences like this help them picture where they might fit in and give them confidence heading into co-ops, internships or full-time roles.
About the Author
Julia Pen is a Business Administration - Marketing student at Mohawk College and currently works part‑time as the Communications, Events and Social Media Assistant with the School of Climate Action. Through the Campus Student Employment Program (CSEP), she is gaining hands‑on experience in content creation, storytelling, and digital engagement—skills that complement her academic studies and allow her to apply marketing principles in a real‑world environment. Julia is passionate about creating meaningful, student‑focused content and contributing to initiatives that support sustainability and climate action across campus.
