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 material achieved a specific surface area of approximately 150 square meters per gram and a viscosity approximately 10% higher than the typical commercial grade 150 benchmark, validating the scalability of the proprietary plasma-based process.
• The company is now targeting a surface area of approximately 200 square meters per gram (commercial grade 200) and preparing for continuous production runs to support engagement with potential partners in coatings, polymers, and advanced materials.

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: Approximately 10% higher than the typical commercial grade 150 benchmark.
  • Significance: Exceeding grade 150 by a double-digit percentage indicates a well-developed three-dimensional network and strong thickening efficiency, critical for stability in high-performance formulations.
• Process Validation:
  • The pilot plant has fully replicated results from HPQ Silica Polvere Inc.'s (HSPI) original lab-scale tests (verified by McGill University).
  • Laboratory performance was scaled by approximately 20-fold while maintaining or improving key quality metrics.
  • The process produces hydrophilic fumed silica directly from quartz using an all-electric plasma system, without hazardous chemicals and with a lower carbon footprint.
• Next Steps & Future Targets:
  • Process optimization is shifting toward maintaining consistent production with a surface area of approximately 200 square meters per gram (commercial product grade 200).
  • Preparation for continuous operation of the pilot plant to increase material availability for evaluation under non-disclosure agreements.
  • Initiation of planning activities toward a potential dedicated production site.
• Market Context:
  • The global fumed silica market is projected to surpass $2.57 billion (U.S.) by 2034.
  • Target sectors include coatings, sealants, automotive, lithium-ion batteries, elastomers, and insulation binders.

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... 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." — Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO, HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere.
• "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... These developments mark an important step in progressing the fumed silica reactor program toward commercialization." — Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO, HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere.