Leading global manufacturer confirms that material achieved a surface area of 136 m²/g, more than triple previous results and confirming HPQ’s single-step process can match commercial-grade benchmarks.
MONTREAL, Canada — HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: 8PY1), a technology company driving innovation in advanced materials and critical process development, is pleased to report that its subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (“HSPI”) [1], has successfully produced commercial-grade fumed silica during Test #6 of its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (“FSR”) pilot project.
The test, conducted by technology supplier PyroGenesis Inc. (TSX: PYR, OTCQX: PYRGF, FRA: 8PY1), achieved a surface area of 136 m²/g, a performance benchmark consistent with commercial specifications. The results were provided directly by a leading global fumed silica manufacturer with whom HPQ maintains a Letter of Intent (LOI).
“With Test #6, we achieved a core objective: demonstrating that our Fumed Silica Reactor can replicate lab-scale surface area results at pilot scale,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. and HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. “This is a pivotal validation of both the process and the product—confirming that we can now produce commercial-grade fumed silica in a single-step, scalable operation.”
Image 1: Demonstrates the scale of performance milestones reached in Test #6, validating HPQ’s process scalability
Image 1 : Démontre l’ampleur des étapes de performance atteintes dans le test #6, validant l’évolutivité du processus HPQ.
KEY PERFORMANCE GAINS FROM TEST #6
Following the process optimizations made after Test #5, as disclosed in HPQ’s August 20, 2025, release, test #6 of HPQ’s Fumed Silica Reactor yielded critical advances in material performance:
- Surface area increased by 309% compared to the previous test, demonstrating significant process refinement.
- The material achieved a specific surface area of 136 m²/g, falling within HPQ’s internal lab-scale benchmark range of 135–185 m²/g [2]—a strong indicator of reproducibility at pilot scale.
- Surface area of 136 m2/g now meets the requirement for commercial grades 90 (75-105 m2/g) and 130 (105-155 m2/g), and enters the lower range of grade 150 fumed silica products which have a surface area range of 135-165 m2/g [3]
- Carbon-based impurities were eliminated, resulting in a cleaner and more industrially desirable product.
- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed morphological features consistent with those of commercial-grade fumed silica, further validating the material’s quality.
“Our next phase will focus on pushing surface area performance into the 200 m²/g + range, which represents the high-demand segment of the commercial market,” added Tourillon. “While there’s no certainty, we’ll reach that threshold in the immediate next test, having solved the most complex hurdles to get here, we believe the remaining challenges are manageable and that our pathway to commercialization remains strong.”
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.
[2] From HPQ November 8, 2023, release that indicated that the independent analysis done at McGill University confirms that HPQ Polvere’s lab scale Fumed Silica Reactor produces commercial-quality hydrophilic material with a surface area between 135–185 m²/g and excellent thickening efficiency.
[3] From a management review of public information available on commercial fumed silica material available.
Clarification
The Company wishes to clarify the terms of the loan agreement announced in its August 20, 2025, press release. The loan may be converted into units at a price of $0.18 per unit, with the accompanying warrants exercisable at $0.25 per share for a period of four (4) years. All other terms of the agreement remain unchanged.
HPQ Silicon is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer. With the support of world-class technology partners PyroGenesis Canada and NOVACIUM SAS, the company is developing new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions.
