HPQ Confirms Fumed Silica Produced With Pilot Scale Reactor is Independently Verified as Meeting Commercial Grade "150"

Executive Summary

• Independent verification confirms HPQ’s pilot‑scale fumed silica reactor (FSR) produces material meeting or exceeding commercial grade “150” specifications for surface area and viscosity.
• Surface area achieved ≈ 150 m²/g; viscosity ~10 % higher than typical grade‑150 benchmark, indicating strong rheology performance.
• The milestone validates scaling of laboratory results to pilot scale and supports further commercialization efforts, including plans for continuous operation and a target surface area of ~200 m²/g.

Key Details

• Verification Source: Potential customer under Letter of Intent (LOI) and an independent global fumed silica manufacturer; prior lab tests were verified by McGill University.
• Test #7 Results:
• Specific surface area ≈ 150 m²/g (meets/exceeds commercial grade‑150 minimum).
• Viscosity ~10 % higher than typical commercial grade‑150 material, indicating superior rheology efficiency.
• Technology: Plasma‑based FSR converts quartz to hydrophilic fumed silica in a single electric step, eliminating hazardous chemicals and reducing carbon footprint.
• Pilot Plant Status: Near continuous production runs; scaling achieved ~20× laboratory performance while maintaining/improving key quality metrics.
• Next Phase Objectives:
• Target surface area ≈ 200 m²/g (commercial grade‑200).
• Scale up to larger batch sizes for NDA‑bound customer evaluations in coatings, polymers, and advanced materials sectors.
• Planning a dedicated production site based on market interest and LOI discussions.
• Market Context: Global fumed‑silica market projected > US$2.57 billion by 2034, driven by coatings, sealants, automotive, and lithium‑ion battery applications.
• Partnerships: Technology partner PyroGenesis Inc.; both companies supported by federal and provincial governments.

Notable Quotes

“Achieving the commercial grade 150 level for fumed silica at our pilot plant… represents an important milestone for HPQ Silica Polvere Inc.’s fumed silica reactor technology and for HPQ,” – Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO, HPQ Silicon Inc.

“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,” – Bernard Tourillon.