HPQ talks independent verification of fumed silica

Executive Summary

• HPQ Silicon Inc. received independent verification from a potential customer (under LOI) that fumed silica produced by its pilot-scale Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) meets or exceeds commercial grade "150" benchmarks.
• The pilot plant has successfully replicated lab-scale results, achieving a specific surface area of approximately 150 square meters per gram and viscosity performance approximately 10% higher than typical commercial grade 150 benchmarks.
• The company is advancing toward continuous production runs and targeting a surface area of approximately 200 square meters per gram (commercial grade 200), while initiating planning for a potential dedicated production site.

Key Details

• Verification Source: Independent verification received from a potential customer under a Letter of Intent (LOI).
• Product Performance (Grade 150):
  • Specific Surface Area: Approximately 150 square meters per gram (BET analysis).
  • Viscosity: Achieved approximately 10% higher than typical commercial grade 150 benchmarks, indicating strong thickening efficiency and stable three-dimensional network formation.
  • Compliance: Meets established commercial benchmarks for both surface area and viscosity required for commercial applications.
• Process Validation:
  • The pilot plant has fully replicated results from HPQ Silica Polvere Inc.'s (HSPI) original lab-scale tests (verified by McGill University).
  • Demonstrates the ability to produce hydrophilic fumed silica directly from quartz using a plasma-based system without hazardous byproducts or chemicals.
  • Laboratory performance was scaled by approximately 20-fold at the pilot plant.
• Next Steps & Future Targets:
  • Process optimization is focusing on maintaining consistent production with a surface area of approximately 200 square meters per gram (commercial product grade 200).
  • Preparing for continuous operation of the pilot plant to increase material availability and batch sizes for evaluation under non-disclosure agreements.
  • Initiating planning activities toward a potential dedicated production site.
• Market Context:
  • Target markets include coatings, adhesives, sealants, inks, elastomers, and insulation binders.
  • Global fumed silica market projected to surpass $2.57-billion (U.S.) by 2034.
  • Technology partners include PyroGenesis Inc. and Novacium.

Notable Quotes

• "Achieving the commercial grade 150 level for fumed silica at our pilot plant, which required replicating both specific surface area and viscosity results from our original laboratory-scale testing, represents an important milestone for HPQ Silica Polvere Inc.'s fumed silica reactor technology and for HPQ," said Bernard Tourillon, president and chief executive officer of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere. "We have successfully scaled laboratory performance by approximately 20-fold while maintaining, and in some cases improving, key quality metrics. Both the independent testing results and a potential client now confirm that our FSR technology can produce fumed silica at performance comparable to established industrial benchmarks by using a more sustainable, more efficient and more affordable process."
• "The latest results support advancing our discussions with a party under a letter of intent while also enabling deeper engagement with industrial players in general," noted Mr. Tourillon. "Based on the results achieved to date and the level of market interest, we have initiated planning activities toward a potential dedicated production site. These developments mark an important step in progressing the fumed silica reactor program toward commercialization."