MONTREAL, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX:PYR) (OTCQX:PYRGF) (FRA:8PY1), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes all-electric plasma processes and sustainable solutions to support heavy industry in their energy transition, emission reduction, commodity security, and waste remediation efforts, today announces its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. “This quarter marked ...

Core Viewpoint - HPQ Silicon Inc. is making significant progress in its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot project, with recent SEM analysis confirming the scalability and material quality of its production process [1][3][4]. Company Updates - The independent SEM analysis received by the company validates the success of Phase 1 Tests 4 and 5, indicating a successful transition from lab-scale to semi-continuous pilot-scale manufacturing [2][3]. - The SEM results demonstrate that the materials produced replicate lab-scale properties at a larger scale, with improved process control and material quality [4][7]. - Phase 2 testing is set to begin in early August 2025, focusing on replicating and validating surface area metrics achieved at lab scale, which is crucial for sample qualification with commercial partners [5]. Industry Context - The FSR project aims to develop a low-carbon, plasma-based fumed silica production method, contrasting with traditional high-temperature processes that generate significant CO₂ and chlorine byproducts [6][8]. - The global demand for fumed silica is projected to reach USD 3.54 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 7.46%, indicating a strong market opportunity for HPQ's innovative process [8].

Core Viewpoint - HPQ Silicon Inc. has successfully closed a non-brokered private placement financing, raising a total of $907,979.58, which reflects strong market confidence in the company's value proposition despite challenging market conditions [1][4]. Financing Details - The company closed an additional 1,886,331 units at a price of $0.18 per unit, contributing to a total of 5,044,331 units issued [2]. - Each unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with an exercise price of $0.25 for a period of 48 months [3]. - The financing was completed at a nearly 9% premium, indicating positive market sentiment [4]. Shareholder Meeting Results - Approximately 18.25% of the issued and outstanding common shares were represented at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 26, 2025 [6]. - All nominees for election as directors were elected with high approval rates, ranging from 98.57% to 99.50% [7]. - Shareholders also approved the reappointment of Forvis Mazars S.E.N.E.R.L as the auditor of HPQ Silicon [7]. Company Overview - HPQ Silicon Inc. is focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process development, aiming to achieve net-zero goals through partnerships with technology leaders [10]. - The company is developing proprietary technologies for low-cost manufacturing of fumed silica and high-purity silicon, as well as innovative hydrogen production processes [13].

Core Insights - HPQ Silicon Inc. has successfully completed Phase 1 Test 5, achieving significant advancements in the production of fumed silica, which is a critical material for various applications [1][3][7] Group 1: Production Milestones - The company has successfully implemented a semi-continuous feedstock feeding protocol in its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant, marking a key step towards commercial validation [2] - The production and collection of material in the dedicated product recovery unit (baghouse) were successfully replicated during this phase [2] Group 2: Quality Improvements - Material analysis from the Leading Global Fumed Silica Manufacturer (LGFSM) confirmed a 20-fold scale-up of the Fumed Silica Reactor, validating the transition from lab to pilot scale and from batch to semi-continuous production [3] - Carbon-based impurities in the produced fumed silica were reduced by 85%, while other impurities saw reductions ranging from 50% to 86% [6] - The material's surface area increased by 57%, indicating a substantial enhancement in product performance characteristics [6] Group 3: Future Testing and Goals - Phase 2 testing will focus on further improving the material's surface area, with the goal of achieving BET surface areas up to 300 m²/g [4] - The company is optimistic about overcoming remaining technical challenges to achieve the targeted surface area range with the FSR [5]

Core Insights - HPQ Silicon Inc. has received positive feedback validating its Fumed Silica Reactor technology and process, which will help optimize material quality for upcoming tests [1][2] - A leading global fumed silica manufacturer confirmed that the material produced by HPQ's proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor is indeed fumed silica, marking a significant milestone for the scalability of this technology [2][4] - The collaboration with PyroGenesis Inc. has streamlined the feedback loop for testing and analysis, allowing for quicker material assessments and process optimizations [3] Company Developments - HPQ Silicon has gained access to testing facilities of a major fumed silica manufacturer, enhancing its validation efforts for the Fumed Silica Reactor technology [4] - The company is experiencing strong demand for its non-brokered private placement, with subscriptions exceeding $540,000 [5] - A creditor has opted to settle outstanding debts of $101,700 in shares rather than cash, with the Board approving the issuance of 565,000 Units at a price of $0.18 per Unit [7][8] Technology and Market Position - The Fumed Silica Reactor technology is positioned to disrupt conventional production methods and meet growing market demand for fumed silica [4] - HPQ Silicon is focused on becoming a low-cost manufacturer of fumed silica while promoting sustainability and supply chain traceability [11][13] - The company is also developing innovative processes for hydrogen production and silicon-based anode materials for battery applications [13]

Core Viewpoint - PyroGenesis Inc. has successfully developed fumed silica samples through its Fumed Silica Reactor pilot plant, which have passed client testing, indicating progress in their collaboration with HPQ Silicon Inc. and its subsidiary Polvere [1][4][6] Group 1: Company Developments - PyroGenesis is engaged in the development and construction of a Fumed Silica Reactor for HPQ's subsidiary, Polvere, which has recently received confirmation that the fumed silica samples produced have met client test protocols [1][5] - The testing of the fumed silica samples was expedited, with results communicated within five days, showcasing the client's advanced in-house testing capabilities [4] - Upcoming test phases for the Fumed Silica Reactor will focus on process optimization and ensuring product quality during scale-up from lab to pilot production [5][6] Group 2: Industry Context - Fumed silica is a widely utilized industrial material found in numerous everyday products, serving as a thickening and anti-caking agent [6] - PyroGenesis' work on fumed silica aligns with its broader strategy of enhancing commodity security and optimizing material production techniques, which are critical for global heavy industry [7] - The company operates within three verticals: Commodity Security & Optimization, Energy Transition and Emission Reduction, and Waste Remediation, emphasizing its commitment to sustainable industrial solutions [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - HPQ Silicon Inc. is proceeding with a non-brokered private placement of 2,300,000 Units for gross proceeds of $414,000 to finance ongoing initiatives and general corporate purposes [1][2]. Group 1: Private Placement Details - The private placement consists of 2,300,000 Units priced at $0.18 per unit, with a potential increase to a maximum of 5,283,050 Units for total gross proceeds of up to $950,950 [2]. - Each Unit includes one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with the warrant allowing the purchase of one common share at an exercise price of $0.25 for 48 months [3]. - The offering is subject to a mandatory holding period of four months and one day from the closing date and is available to accredited investors [3]. Group 2: Company Background and Strategic Focus - HPQ Silicon Inc. is a Quebec-based technology company focused on advanced materials and critical process development, aiming to achieve net-zero goals through innovative technologies [6]. - The company is developing proprietary technologies such as the FUMED SILICA REACTOR for low-cost fumed silica production and PUREVAP™ for high purity silicon production [6]. - HPQ is also collaborating with partners to produce silicon-based anode materials for batteries and to develop hydrogen production systems and waste-to-energy processes [6]. Group 3: Management Insights - The President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc., Bernard Tourillon, stated that the financing is intended to provide the foundation necessary to capitalize on larger opportunities currently being pursued by the company [5].

Core Viewpoint - HPQ Silicon Inc. has received an early request for material samples from a leading global fumed silica manufacturer, indicating strong interest in its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor technology [1][2]. Company Developments - HPQ Silicon confirmed the independent validation of its fumed silica production through its Fumed Silica Reactor Pilot Plant during a four-batch Phase One test [2]. - The request for samples was made prior to the completion of planned optimizations by HSPI's technology supplier, PyroGenesis Inc., highlighting the technology's unique potential [2]. - The collaboration with the leading fumed silica manufacturer aims to validate the FSR's ability to produce material that meets specific industry standards, leveraging over 80 years of manufacturing expertise [5]. Production Goals - The pilot plant program focuses on two main objectives: enhancing product-grade purity and reaching a targeted production capacity of 50 tonnes per year (TPY) [5]. - Enhancements will involve improving process control, achieving higher product surface areas, and increasing silica conversion efficiency [5]. Market Positioning - The collaboration is seen as a critical step toward commercial validation, positioning HPQ and HSPI to accelerate market entry with a scalable, high-purity fumed silica solution [5]. - The company is confident that its proprietary technology can disrupt traditional fumed silica production methods and meet the growing market demand [5].

Core Viewpoint - PyroGenesis Inc. has successfully produced fumed silica material that exceeds expectations during the latest pilot runs, indicating progress in the development of its Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) project [1][4]. Group 1: Project Development - The FSR pilot plant has progressed through several important stages, moving from lab-scale tests to pilot plant scale to validate equipment scale-up and replicate product quality [2]. - An important milestone was achieved with the production and collection of powder in the product recovery unit, confirming that the collected powder is indeed fumed silica [3][4]. - Independent analysis confirmed that the amount of fumed silica produced was greater than anticipated, which is promising for the project's economics [4]. Group 2: Product Characteristics - The collected fumed silica powder aligns well with the microstructure and complexity of commercial-grade fumed silica produced by Evonik Corporation, typically in the range of 150 to 200 m²/g [6]. - The pilot plant will focus on enhancing product purity and achieving a production target of 50 tonnes per year (TPY) [13]. Group 3: Future Objectives - The balance of the pilot plant program will focus on optimizing tests to improve process control, silica conversion efficiency, yield, and product surface areas [8][13]. - The results from the characterization and optimization phases will be crucial for determining market fit and making the system commercially viable [8]. Group 4: Industry Context - Fumed silica is widely used in various products, including personal care items, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials, serving as a thickening and anti-caking agent [9]. - PyroGenesis' development of fumed silica from quartz is part of its broader strategy to enhance commodity security and optimize material production techniques [10].

Core Insights - HPQ Silicon Inc. has confirmed successful production of fumed silica through its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) Pilot Plant, exceeding initial yield projections during the pilot phase [1][5][7] - The independent analysis of the produced material supports the commercial viability of the FSR technology, indicating a strong outlook for future production [2][5] - The company plans to distribute samples to qualified third parties for independent evaluation and qualification, marking a significant step towards commercialization [5][9] Production and Quality - The recovered white powder material is confirmed to be fumed silica, with impurities being consistent with expectations and easily removable [7] - The production yield at this stage was greater than anticipated, which is promising for the project's economic viability [7] - A comparative analysis using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) shows a high degree of similarity between the microstructures of HSPI's lab-scale and pilot-scale materials and commercial grades of fumed silica [7] Future Objectives - The next phases of the pilot plant program will focus on enhancing product-grade purity and achieving higher product surface areas through improved process control and optimized powder morphology [8][9] - The overarching goal is to generate critical data to support scale-up plans and equipment modifications, essential for commercial viability following a further twentyfold increase in production capacity [9][13] Company Background - HPQ Silicon Inc. is focused on developing new green processes for advanced material manufacturing, with support from technology partners like PyroGenesis Canada Inc. [11] - The company aims to become a low-cost manufacturer of fumed silica and silicon-based anode materials for battery applications, contributing to sustainability and net-zero emissions goals [14]