HPQ Silicon completes fumed silica test

Executive Summary

• HPQ Silicon Inc. completed Test Series No. 7 of its proprietary fumed silica reactor (FSR) pilot plant, marking a significant step toward commercializing its direct-quartz-to-fumed-silica manufacturing process.
• The company is targeting a surface area of over 150 square meters per gram (m²/g) for this test cycle, aiming to meet market specifications for premium fumed silica, with a long-term goal of reaching 300 m²/g.
• Samples have been shipped to an accredited third-party laboratory for certification, with results expected within 10 business days, while the system has been engineered for multiday continuous operation to produce 200 kg of material for customer evaluation.

Key Details

• Pilot Plant Status: Completed Test Series No. 7 of the proprietary fumed silica reactor (FSR) pilot plant, developed by wholly owned subsidiary HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI).
• Engineering Partner: The pilot plant was designed and built by PyroGenesis Inc.
• Process Technology: Uses a plasma-based reactor to convert quartz directly into fumed silica, eliminating costly intermediate steps and reducing energy/carbon footprint.
• Surface Area Progression:
  • Test No. 4: 28 m²/g
  • Test No. 5: 44 m²/g
  • Test No. 6: 136 m²/g
  • Test No. 7 Target: Surpass 150 m²/g (market specifications for premium fumed silica are in the 150–200 m²/g range).
• Operational Enhancements:
  • Implemented engineering modifications to expand material surface area.
  • Upgraded FSR system for multiday continuous operation.
  • Targeting production of 200 kilograms of material suitable for distribution to potential customers under non-disclosure agreements.
• Next Steps:
  • Samples shipped to an accredited third-party laboratory for certification; results expected within 10 business days.
  • Results will define goals and engineering upgrades for Test Cycle No. 8.
  • Long-term end goal is achieving highest fumed silica surface area grades of 300 m²/g.
• Strategic Context: Aligns with HPQ's objective of creating low-energy, low-carbon, high-value materials to support North American supply-chain resilience.

Notable Quotes

• "Each test series brings us closer to proving that low-energy-low-carbon, direct-from-quartz fumed silica can be produced reliably and competitively... This work continues to validate years of R&D investment and demonstrates the industrial scalability of HPQ's proprietary process." — Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO
• "Once these results are received, we will be able to define the goals and engineering upgrades for test cycle No. 8, which we anticipate will take us closer to the end goal of the highest fumed silica surface area grades of 300 square m/g... We're moving from proof-of-concept toward measurable market traction." — Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO