HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ)
(OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), a technology company
specializing in green engineering processes for silica and silicon
material production, is pleased to provide shareholders with an
update of the latest milestones reached on the Fumed Silica Reactor
("FSR”) development project being spearheaded by its wholly owned
subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (“HPQ Polvere”), in partnership
with technology provider PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX: PYR)
(NASDAQ: PYR) (FRA: 8PY) (“Pyrogenesis”).
HPQ Polvere Fumed Silica Reactor A One Step Technology
To Transform Quartz (SiO2) Into
Fumed Silica
On May 17th, 2023, HPQ Polvere announced the successful
lab-scale production of Fumed Silica using raw quartz (SiO2) as
feedstock in one step, utilizing our proprietary reactor
technology. Subsequent tests conducted throughout June and July
achieved the following additional key milestones:
- Generated Fumed
Silica material exhibiting structural characteristics similar to
commercial grade fumed silica, falling between grade Aerosil 150
and Aerosil 200 when compared under Transmission Electron
Microscopy (TEM) [1] (see Figure 1 below).
- Produced nearly one
(1) kilogram of Fumed Silica powder, enabling HPQ Polvere to start
sending samples to interested third parties for testing.
Figure 1. TEM images of fumed
silica, (a) commercial grade Aerosil 90, (b) commercial grade
Aerosil 150, (c) commercial grade Aerosil 200, these 3 images are
from a scientific paper [2] and (d) HPQ Silica Polvere
material.
"In May 2023, we aimed to produce sufficient commercial grade
Fumed Silica to send samples to potential clients. Achieving this
milestone is a great accomplishment for the Silicon project
development team at technology provider PyroGenesis," said Mr.
Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silica Polvere Inc and
HPQ Silicon Inc. “The HPQ Fumed Silica initiative embodies our
commitment to green engineering processes [3] and is evolving into
a strong stand-alone business”.
Fumed Silica and its
Markets
Fumed silica (Pyrogenic Silica) is a microscopic white powder
with high surface area and low bulk density. Its commercial
applications encompass various industries including personal care,
pharmaceuticals, agriculture (food & feed), adhesives,
sealants, construction, batteries gel, automotive and more.
Worldwide demand for fumed silica in 2017 was 317,000 tonnes (t)
worth US$ 1.6 Billion (B). The market was estimated to grow at 6%
CAGR and reach an estimated volume of 424,300 t, worth about US $
2.2 B in 2022 [4].
While the worldwide aggregated selling price in 2017 was US$
5.06 per kg, and the estimated aggregated selling price in 2022 is
around US$ 5.33 per kg [4], the selling price varies according to
the final usage of the Fumed Silica and location where sold. That
is why in 2017, in the United States, the highest purity material
used in pharmaceutical applications sold for US$ 10.29 per kg [6],
in sealant applications for US$ 8.48 per kg [7] and in battery gel
applications for US$ 7.06 per kg [8].
A Technology That Will Reduce the Cost and Environmental
Footprint To Make Fumed Silica
Fumed silica is a crucial material used in various industries
due to its unique properties. Conventional manufacturing processes
for fumed silica rely on 2N purity Silicon Metal (Si) as a
feedstock, complex procedures, high energy consumption (around
115,000 kWh per tonne produced), and the generation of hazardous
by-products such as Hydrogen Chloride Gas (HCI) [9].
In contrast, the HPQ Polvere Fumed Silica Reactor directly
transforms quartz into fumed silica, reducing energy requirements
to only 15,000 kWh per tonne produced [10]. This technology
enhances efficiency and minimizes the environmental impact and
associated carbon taxes [11].
Based on testing data to date, management opinion is that using
our proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor, HPQ Silica Polvere will be
able to commercially produce high purity Fumed Silica for less than
US$ 2.00 per kg [12]. This cost being lower than the conventional
process, which relies on 2N Purity Silicon as feedstock and costs
approximately US$ 7 per kg in 2023 [13].
“By adopting the Fumed Silica Reactor technology, HPQ Silica
Polvere anticipates a significant advancement in fumed silica
production, benefiting both the Company and the industries that
rely on this essential material, and this may be why third parties
are eager to evaluate the characteristics of our material for the
own operations” added Mr. Tourillon.
REFERENCE SOURCES
[1] |
PyroGenesis
Canada Inc July 24, 2023, Confidential Technical Memo entitled:
Fumed Silica Lab Scale Samples Comparison with Commercial
Product |
[2] |
Mulderig, A., Beaucage, G., Vogtt, K., Jiang, H., & Kuppa,
V. (2017). Quantification of branching in fumed silica. Journal of
Aerosol Science, 109, 28-37. |
[3] |
Definition from The United States Environment Protection Agency
web site : “Green engineering is the design, commercialization, and
use of processes and products in a way that reduces pollution,
promotes sustainability, and minimizes risk to human health
and the environment without sacrificing economic viability and
efficiency”. |
[4] |
Worldwide Sales data from MarketsandMarkets 2017 "fumed silica
market – global forecast to 2022” page 70. |
[5] |
Aggregated selling price in 2017 and 2022 from
MarketsandMarkets 2017 "fumed silica market – global forecast to
2022” page 70. |
[6] |
Pharmaceutical applications sales data per regions from
MarketsandMarkets 2017 "fumed silica market – global forecast to
2022” page 76. |
[7] |
Sealant applications sales data per regions from
MarketsandMarkets 2017 "fumed silica market – global forecast to
2022” page 74. |
[8] |
Battery Gel applications sales data per regions from
MarketsandMarkets 2017 "fumed silica market – global forecast to
2022” page 80. |
[9] |
Barthel, H., Rösch, L., & Weis, J. (2005). Fumed
silica‐production, properties, and applications. Organosilicon
Chemistry Set: From Molecules to Materials, 761-778. |
[10] |
PyroGenesis Canada Inc. |
[11] |
HPQ Silicon Inc July 13, 2023, release |
[12] |
These numbers will be further validated and refine after the
completion of the Fumed Silica Pilot Plant project follow by
Conceptual and Preliminary engineering studies. |
[13] |
Price paid by HPQ Silicon Inc for 2N silicon for its battery
initiatives during Q1 2023. |
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 three 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 R&D and 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
About HPQ Silicon
HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a
Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer.
HPQ is developing, with the support of
world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada
Inc.(TSX: PYR) (NASDAQ: PYR) and NOVACIUM SAS, new green
processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach
net zero emissions.
HPQ activities are centred around the following
five (5) pillars:
1) Becoming a green
low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of High Purity Silicon (2N+ to
4N) using our proprietary
PUREVAPTM “Quartz
Reduction Reactors” (QRR) being developed by
PyroGenesis.
2) Becoming North
America’s first producer of micron size High Purity Silicon (3N
& 4N) powders with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS.
3) Working to become
the first producer of nano silicon materials from High Purity
Silicon chunks using our proprietary
PUREVAPTM Nano Silicon
Reactor (NSiR) being developed by
PyroGenesis.
4) Becoming a green
low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of Fumed Silica using our
proprietary FUMED SILICA REACTOR being developed
by PyroGenesis.
5) Developing a small
and compact process for the on-demand production of hydrogen via
hydrolysis of Silicon and other materials.
For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon
web site.
Disclaimers:
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 security’s
regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at
www.sedar.com. 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 TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This News Release is available on the
company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social
media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A
between Management and Shareholders.
Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.For further
information contact: Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman,
President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271Patrick Levasseur, Director
Tel: +1 (514) 262-9239Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/64670a4f-acc1-4b8a-842a-38def4e0cec0
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