HPQ Plans to Start Commercial Production of Fumed Silica Using Its Pilot Plant in Q4 2025, Becoming Canada’s First Domestic Supplier
MONTREAL, March 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ,OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in green engineering processes, would like to inform shareholder that recently announced tariffsand resulting counter tariffs on critical feedstock including fumed silica has NO impact on discussions with parties under LOI and other NDAs interested in our Fumed Silica material and technologies. Also, the Company would like to add that it intends to start commercial production of fumed silica using its pilot plant this year.
HPQ, through its subsidiary HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI) [1], is progressing as planned with the development of its Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) system. Following the successful production of its first batch in late February 2025, the pilot plant is now optimizing operations to increase throughput from 20–30 kg per batch to over 480 kg perday. During this phase, the fumed silica produced will undergo internal testing, with samples sent to parties under LOI (as per the July 9, 2024, release) and other NDAs.
By Q4 2025, HSPI will begin commercial production of fumed silica using its pilot-scale FSR system, making it Canada’s first domestic producer of fumed silica. With escalating U.S. tariff threats and potential countermeasures, the timing is critical, as these trade policies are expected to disrupt supply chains and increase the cost of imported materials.
“Fumed silica is used in thousands of everyday products, yet Canada has no domestic production, leaving Canadian manufacturers vulnerable to unpredictable trade policies that could swiftly drive prices up.As a result, prices are expected to rise by at least 25%, squeezing businesses and limiting growth,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere. “HPQ’s Fumed Silica Reactor technology has the potential to change that. Our goal is to use the pilot plant to begin commercial fumed silica production in Canada in Q4 2025. At the same time, we will lay the groundwork to scale up production and establish, over the next few years, a reliable, nationally beneficial supply, thereby reducing reliance on U.S. and other fumed silica imports."
Fumed Silica: A High-Value Material Caught in a Trade War
Fumed silica is a high-performance industrial material used in applications ranging from cosmetics and paints to lithium-ion batteries, adhesives, and reinforced polymers. Its high surface area, lightweight structure, and ability to enhance mechanical strength, viscosity, and stability make it indispensable across multiple sectors.
The global fumed silica market valued at approximately US $2.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to over US $3.4 billion by 2034[2], driven by increasing demand for high-performance materials in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced coatings. The US and Canadian fumed silica market is valued at approximately US $411 million in 2024 and is projected to grow to over US $587 million by 2034[3].
High capital and operational costs, along with environmental challenges tied to traditional fumed silica manufacturing, have left Canada without domestic production capacity. As a result, local manufacturers relying on this critical feedstock must import 20,000 to 24,000 tonnes (t) annually—primarily from U.S. suppliers—at an average yearly cost of approximately US $200 million [4]. With new tariffs and counter-tariffs being enacted, the cost of imported fumed silica is set to rise by 25%, significantly impacting key Canadian industries such as automotive, construction, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.
HPQ’s Fumed Silica Reactor: A Pathway to Supply Independence for Canadian Industry
HPQ Silicon, through its subsidiary HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI) [1], is developing a low-Capex, low-Opex plasma-based fumed silica production technology in collaboration with PyroGenesis Canada Inc. Unlike traditional multi-step production methods, which typically require between 100 and 120 kWh per kg of fumed silica [5], HSPI’s one-step, energy-efficient process consumes only 8 to 12 kWh per kg [6]. This significant reduction in energy use lowers operating cost and carbon emissions while maintaining superior product quality.
Strategic Advantages: A Scalable, Cost-Effective Alternative Undergoing Pilot-Scale Validation
Two weeks ago, the HSPI pilot plant successfully produced its first batch of material, marking a major milestone in the commercialization of its technology (February 27, 2025, release). As a 20-fold scale-up from previous lab tests, the pilot plant demonstrated its ability to replicate, at industrial scale, the visually morphological characteristics consistent with those observed in lab-scale fumed silica production.
Following the successful first pilot-scale tests, HSPI is now focused on optimizing batch and semi-continuous fumed silica production. Ongoing efforts aim to increase throughput from 20–30 kg per batch to over 480 kg per day while producing commercial grade materials with surface areas ranging from 150 to 300 m²/g. The overarching goal is to achieve full-capacity operations, enabling multiple daily production cycles and delivering commercial-quality material. With an expected 20 hours of daily operation, the system is projected to produce approximately 161 kilograms per day, equivalent to an annual output of 50,000 kilograms (50 TPY).
By Q4 2025, the fully paid pilot-scale FSR system, will start delivering high-performance fumed silica, providing buyers with a cleaner, more efficient and Canadian alternative to legacy production methods.
HSPI’s FSR design enables a modular, scalable approach to fumed silica production, based on increasing the FSR capability designs by a 20-fold scale up of the pilot system to an initial production target of at least 1,000 metric tons per year FRS reactors. Once the first system is operational in the coming years, the goal will become building multiple Fumed Silica Reactors to have the capacity to meet Canada’s full market demand of 20,000 to 24,000 metric tons annually.
“This is not just about mitigating tariffs,” added Tourillon. “This is about using Canadian know-how to create a more resilient independent supply chain for critical materials. Over time HSPI’s Fumed Silica Reactor could ensures that Canadian manufacturers are no longer at the mercy of U.S. trade policies. We are pioneering a technology that makes Canada self-sufficient in a high-value material while enhancing our global competitiveness.”
REFERENCE SOURCES
[1] A wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ Silicon Inc. when technology supplier PyroGenesis announced its intention to exercise its option to acquire a 50% stake in HSPI in May 2024.
[4] Management estimates of Canadian market size based on information from Sales data per regions from MarketsandMarkets 2017 “fumed silica market – global forecast to 2022”
[5] Frischknecht, Rolf, et al. “Life cycle inventories and life cycle assessment of photovoltaic systems.” International Energy Agency (IEA) PVPS Task 12 (2020).
[6] Updated energy consumption estimate made by PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (August 2024)
HPQ is developing, with the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis 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 five (5) pillars:
Becoming a green low-cost (Capex and Opex) manufacturer of Fumed Silica using the FUMED SILICA REACTOR, a proprietary technology owned by HPQ Silica Polvere Inc being developed for HSPI by PyroGenesis.
Becoming a producer of silicon-based anode materials for battery applications with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS.
HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a low carbon, chemical based on demand and high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system.
HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a new process to transform black aluminium dross into a valuable resource.
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.
PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud 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 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 m2 and 2,940 m2 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. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY1). www.pyrogenesis.com
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 www.sedar.com. 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 Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com
