Commercial-scale engineering review strengthens confidence in future deployment while growing industry interest expands strategic discussions
MONTREAL, July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. ("HPQ" or the "Company") ("HPQ" or the "Company") (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company driving innovation in advanced materials and critical process development, is pleased to provide an update on the commercialization of the proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor ("FSR") technology developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. ("HSPI") in connection with PyroGenesis Inc. ("PyroGenesis").
While HSPI remains a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ, HPQ and PyroGenesis are in the final stages of completing the previously announced transaction pursuant to which PyroGenesis will acquire a 50% ownership interest in HSPI [1] while remaining the exclusive supplier of equipment for the commercialization of the FSR technology.
Building on the successful pilot-scale production of commercial-grade "150" fumed silica, the independent validation of its commercial performance, the execution of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed 1,000 tonne-per-year commercial plant ("MOU"), and the completion of an extensive engineering review, HPQ believes the successful completion of the pilot program has advanced the FSR program beyond technology validation and toward commercial deployment.
Pilot Program Achieves Its Primary Objectives
The pilot-scale program was designed with two principal objectives:
demonstrate that the FSR could reliably produce commercial-grade fumed silica directly from quartz; and
generate the engineering and operating data required to support the design, costing and economic evaluation of future commercial production facilities.
Throughout the pilot program, and following the execution of the MOU, PyroGenesis completed a detailed engineering review of the operating data generated during pilot production. PyroGenesis' review has strengthened confidence in the projected operating parameters and commercial-scale economics of the FSR technology.
For HPQ, this engineering work represents an important milestone because it substantially reduces technical uncertainty surrounding commercial deployment while providing a significantly stronger engineering basis for evaluating future deployment and business opportunities.
HSPI Commercial Discussions Have Expanded Beyond the Original Scope
As previously disclosed, the parties had anticipated completing negotiations related to the initially announced non-binding MOU by the end of the second quarter of 2026. That timeline reflected the information and commercial opportunities known at the time the MOU was announced.