HPQ test produces commercial-grade fumed silica

Mr. Bernard Tourillon of HPQ reports HPQ ACHIEVES PILOT-SCALE MILESTONE IN COMMERCIAL FUMED SILICA PRODUCTION, SETS SIGHTS ON HIGHER-VALUE MARKET SEGMENT HPQ Silicon Inc.'s subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI), has successfully produced commercial-grade fumed silica during test No. 6 of its proprietary fumed silica reactor (FSR) pilot project. The test, conducted by technology supplier PyroGenesis Inc., achieved a surface area of 136 m2/g, a performance benchmark consistent with commercial specifications. The results were provided directly by a leading global fumed silica manufacturer with whom HPQ maintains a letter of intent (LOI). "With test No. 6, we achieved a core objective: demonstrating that our fumed silica reactor can replicate lab-scale surface area results at pilot scale," said Bernard Tourillon, president and chief executive officer of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere. "This is a pivotal validation of both the process and the product -- confirming that we can now produce commercial-grade fumed silica in a single-step, scalable operation." Key performance gains from test No. 6 Following the process optimizations made after test No. 5, as disclosed in HPQ's Aug. 20, 2025, release, test No. 6 of HPQ's fumed silica reactor yielded critical advances in material performance: Surface area increased by 309 per cent compared with the previous test, demonstrating significant process refinement. The material achieved a specific surface area of 136 m2/g, falling within HPQ's internal lab-scale benchmark range of 135 to 185 m2/g -- a strong indicator of reproducibility at pilot scale. Surface area of 136 m2/g now meets the requirement for commercial grades 90 (75 to 105 m2/g) and 130 (105 to 155 m2/g), and enters the lower range of grade 150 fumed silica products which have a surface area range of 135 to 165 m2/g. Carbon-based impurities were eliminated, resulting in a cleaner and more industrially desirable product. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed morphological features consistent with those of commercial-grade fumed silica, further validating the material's quality. "Our next phase will focus on pushing surface area performance into the 200 m2/g-plus range, which represents the high-demand segment of the commercial market," added Mr. Tourillon. "While there's no certainty, we'll reach that threshold in the immediate next test, having solved the most complex hurdles to get here, we believe the remaining challenges are manageable and that our pathway to commercialization remains strong." Clarification The company wishes to clarify the terms of the loan agreement announced in its Aug. 20, 2025, press release. The loan may be converted into units at a price of 18 cetns per unit, with the accompanying warrants exercisable at 25 cents per share for a period of four years. All other terms of the agreement remain unchanged. 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-CO2 (carbon dioxide) producer of fumed silica and high-purity silicon, with technical support from PyroGenesis. 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. About PyroGenesis Inc. PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions that 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 four 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-square-metre and 2,940-square-metre 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. We seek Safe Harbor.