Agreement confirms commercial potential of the Fumed Silica Reactor

MONTREAL, July 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. ("HPQ" or the "Company") (TSX-V: HPQ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in the green engineering of silica and silicon-based materials is pleased to announce that HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. ("HSPI") has reached a major milestone concerning the commercialization of the Fumed Silica Reactor ("FSR") process.

HSPI (which was a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ Silicon Inc. when technology supplier PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY) ("PyroGenesis") announced its intention to exercise its option to acquire a 50% stake in HSPI in May 2024) has signed today a letter of intent (LOI) with with Evonik Corporation (Evonik), a global specialty chemicals company that manufactures a wide range of high-performance materials, including fumed silica.

"The conclusion of this LOI at this juncture in the development is a testament to the potential of the FSR technology to change fumed silica manufacturing," stated Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silicon Polvere. "This LOI confirms industry interest in the technological and commercial potential of the FSR, and we are very proud to be leading this unique opportunity to complete the development of our low cost, low carbon footprint, commercially attractive fumed silica manufacturing process."

"As I have often stated, PyroGenesis only commits to ideas that have both real and significant potential for successful commercialization," said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. "While we are approached regularly by companies seeking a technology partner, we will only commit our engineering and technical resources to those whose ideas have the most upside. Rarer still is the commercial opportunity where we are willing to take a 50% ownership stake in the initiative, as we have with the fumed silica reactor process. This LOI with a company on the scale and reputation of Evonik helps to confirm both the reasoning behind that approach and the reality of the market potential for our fumed silica process."

The objective of the LOI is for HSPI to collaborate with Evonik during the pilot scale phase to validate the ability of the FSR to produce low-cost low carbon material acceptable to Evonik's specifications. This will be a scaling up of the process from HSPI's first-generation samples which have already proven to satisfy the Evonik specifications.

"Regarding the collaboration on testing fumed silica material, HSPI can leverage the more than 80 years of experience in manufacturing and selling fumed silica materials that Evonik has and represents an incredible opportunity for HSPI as we work diligently to optimize our Fumed Silica Reactor " added Mr. Tourillon.

Evonik as a leading producer of fumed silica and metal oxides continues to focus on next generation technologies that hold promise for improved sustainability and enhanced product performance that drive industry and societal transformation.

About HPQ

HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer.

HPQ is developing, with the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada Inc. and NOVACIUM SAS, new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions.

HPQ activities are centred around the following four (4) pillars:

1) Becoming a green low-cost (Capex and Opex) manufacturer of Fumed Silica using the FUMED SILICA REACTOR, a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis.

2) Becoming a producer of silicon-based anode materials for battery applications with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS.

3) HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a low carbon, chemical base on demand and high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system.

4) Becoming a zero CO2 low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of High Purity Silicon (2N+ to 4N) using our PUREVAPTM "Quartz Reduction Reactors" (QRR), a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis.

For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site.

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which 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 three 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 m2 and 2,940 m2 R&D and 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. For more information, please visit:

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the security's regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at . Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This News Release is available on the company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders.

Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.
For further information contact:
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271
Patrick Levasseur, Director Tel: +1 (514) 262-9239
Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com