PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR)
(NASDAQ: PYR) (FRA: 8PY), a TSX30® and a Deloitte Canada Clean
Technology Fast 50TM high-tech company (the “Company” or
“PyroGenesis”), that designs, develops, manufactures and
commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions
which are geared to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG), is pleased to
announce today that, further to its Press Releases dated March 17,
2021 and April 20, 2022, the Company has signed two contracts with
Aluminerie Alouette for $2.7 million. The first contract is to
further advance its spent pot lining valorization technology. The
second contract is geared to develop a new valorization solution
for excess electrolytic bath. Both contracts address primary
aluminum production process residue streams.
The project funding includes contributions from
both Aluminerie Alouette and the Centre québécois de recherche et
de développement de l’aluminium (“CQRDA”). The latter administers
funding and programs made available by the provincial government’s
Ministry of the Economy, Innovation and Energy for Quebec’s
aluminum industry.
“We are very proud to be partnering, once again,
with Aluminerie Alouette, a company renowned for its
environmentally friendly practices and which operates the largest
aluminum smelter in the Americas,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, CEO
of PyroGenesis. “PyroGenesis’ technology and engineering
capabilities will help re-use residues from aluminum production,
including spent pot lining and electrolytic bath, thus helping
Aluminerie Alouette advance its decarbonization strategy. These are
the types of projects that underscore PyroGenesis’ strategy to
position its processes to enable sustainable and environmentally
responsible practices within the aluminum industry,” continued Mr.
Pascali.
Primary aluminum is produced today in
electrolytic cells using the Hall-Héroult reduction process. The
cell, commonly known as a pot, is basically a steel shell lined
with insulating materials (mainly carbon) that serve as a container
vessel for a solution made up of alumina (aluminum oxide) and a
solvent. Aluminum is produced when a high amperage electric current
is forced to pass through a pot, causing a number of chemical
reactions in the electrolytic solution (the “bath”) which leads to
the decomposition of alumina into carbon dioxide and molten
aluminum. The lining of the pots, which typically has an average
lifespan of 5 years, will eventually fail from continuous use,
causing the pot to be put out of service. At this time (being
contaminated with chemical compounds), all remaining materials are
removed and replaced so the pot can return to production. This
lining removed from decommissioned pots, also known as “Spent Pot
Lining” or just “SPL”, is a solid residue classified as
hazardous.
While dangerous, SPL contains valuable materials
that, if processed correctly, could be recovered, and reused. One
of the projects announced today was launched with the goal of
developing a new process to valorize that SPL material in a safe
and environmentally friendly manner.
An estimated 1.5 million tons of SPL are
produced annually worldwide. If PyroGenesis’ proposed process
proves successful, it could address a major issue concerning the
aluminum industry in Quebec and elsewhere.
PyroGenesis’ solution for SPL valorization seeks
to use its plasma arc thermal treatment plant to transform the
carbonaceous and refractory materials contained in SPL into
synthesis gas, as well as into aluminum fluoride, a key raw
material that can be re-used by Aluminerie Alouette in their
production process. Compared with the chemical treatment currently
used, PyroGenesis’ alternative method should enable significant
savings by reducing or eliminating existing costs associated with
various steps of processing and management of SPL.
The second project announced today proposes a
similar approach to valorize another type of residue composed of
excess electrolytic bath produced in the pots during normal
operation. These residues, also known in industry as “pure bath” or
just “bath”, may be considered as hazardous material because of
their high content in fluorine. The objective of the project is to
process them in a plasma arc thermal treatment plant with the goal
of producing aluminum fluoride. The latter is therefore a common
element in both projects.
After significant progress, projects will now
move to the design and fabrication (currently underway) of the
integrated thermal plasma furnace and gas purification system, with
various lab-scale tests and experimental activities for gas
conversion taking place concurrently. Subsequent phases will
include further testing of the integrated system, and the eventual
design of both pre-commercial and commercial scale (full
industrial) systems at the Aluminerie Alouette site.
Both projects have a commercial end goal with a
strategy to market the solutions industry-wide in conjunction with
Aluminerie Alouette.
About Aluminerie Alouette
Established in 1992, Aluminerie Alouette is an
independent aluminum producer. With over 850 employees and an
annual production capacity exceeding 620,000 tonnes of primary
aluminum, Alouette is the largest private employer in Sept-Îles and
the largest aluminum smelter in the Americas. Sustainable
development and innovation are at the core of the Sept-Îles
facility’s operations.
About PyroGenesis Canada
Inc.
PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is
a leader in the design, development, manufacture and
commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable
solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically
attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes.
PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma
technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple
multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron
ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive
manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and
technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2
and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its
competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology
development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015
and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. For
more information, please visit: www.pyrogenesis.com.
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate",
"continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and
other similar expressions which constitute "forward- looking
information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current
expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our
expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the
market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the
capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to
research and development, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the
regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current
views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from
time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the securities
regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at
www.sedar.com, or at www.sec.gov. Actual results, events, and
performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward- looking statements either as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable
securities laws. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press
release.
For further information please contact: Rodayna
Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BDPhone: (514)
937-0002, E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com RELATED LINK:
http://www.pyrogenesis.com/
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