HPQ Silicon completes fumed silica test

Mr. Bernard Tourillon reports HPQ COMPLETES LATEST FUMED SILICA PILOT TEST, MOVES CLOSER TO ACHIEVING HIGHEST MATERIAL GRADES HPQ Silicon Inc. has completed test series No. 7 of the proprietary fumed silica reactor (FSR) pilot plant developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI). The pilot plant, designed and built by engineering partner PyroGenesis Inc. (Toronto Stock Exchange: PYR, OTCQX: PYRGF, FRA: 8PY1), marks another step in HPQ's drive to commercialize a direct-quartz-to-fumed-silica manufacturing process that eliminates the need for costly intermediate steps and sharply reduces the total energy and carbon footprint of production. The process uses a plasma-based reactor to convert quartz directly into fumed silica, a high-value product used in a wide range of applications, including batteries, electronics, cosmetics and sealants. "Each test series brings us closer to proving that low-energy-low-carbon, direct-from-quartz fumed silica can be produced reliably and competitively," said Bernard Tourillon, president and chief executive officer of HPQ Silicon Inc. and HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. "This work continues to validate years of R&D investment and demonstrates the industrial scalability of HPQ's proprietary process." Before initiating test series No. 7, PyroGenesis engineered implemented two sets of key improvements. The first focused on expanding the material's surface area, a critical measure of fumed silica performance, which has already advanced from 28 square metres per gram surface area in test No. 4 to 44 square m/g in test No. 5 and 136 square m/g in test No. 6. The target surface area for test cycle No. 7, based on the engineering modifications, is to surpass 150 square m/g. Surface areas in the 150 to 200 square m/g range are consistent with market specifications for premium fumed silica. The second set of enhancements prepared the FSR system for multiday continuous operation, targeting the production of 200 kilograms of material suitable for distribution to multiple potential customers under non-disclosure agreements for independent evaluation. A set of samples have been shipped to an accredited third -party laboratory for certification, with results expected within 10 business days. "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," added Mr. Tourillon. "We're moving from proof-of-concept toward measurable market traction -- aligning with HPQ's broader objective of creating low-energy carbon, high-value materials that compete globally while supporting North American supply-chain resilience." About HPQ Silicon Inc. HPQ Silicon is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange industrial issuer focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process development. In partnership with its research and development partner Novacium -- of which HPQ is a shareholder -- the company is advancing next-generation silicon-based anode materials (Gen3) for batteries, commercializing its Endura+ lithium-ion cells, and developing breakthrough clean-hydrogen and waste-to-energy technologies, for which HPQ holds exclusive North American rights. HPQ is also pursuing proprietary technologies to become a low-cost, zero-carbon-dioxide producer of fumed silica and high-purity silicon, with technical support from PyroGenesis Inc. Together, these initiatives position HPQ to capture growth opportunities in the energy storage, clean hydrogen and advanced materials markets essential to achieving global net-zero goals. We seek Safe Harbor.