HPQ Silicium Begins Pilot Plant Pre-Commissioning for Fumed Silica Reactor

HPQ Silicium Inc. announced that its subsidiary, HPQ Silicon Polvere, has begun pre-commissioning activities for its Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant. The company stated that progress is in line with expectations, with the plant slated to begin operations in the third quarter of the year. This marks a significant step in the commercialization pathway of the company's FSR technology.

The company's technology provider, PyroGenesis Canada Inc., has confirmed the commencement of pre-commissioning for the 50 tonnes per year (TPY) pilot plant. Initially, the system will operate in batch mode to produce fumed silica material targeting a specific surface area of 150 to 200 m²/g, consistent with prior laboratory achievements. The operation will subsequently transition to semi-continuous mode for the production of commercial-grade fumed silica.

Subsequent phases will focus on optimizing the pilot plant to produce food and pharmaceutical grade fumed silica with a specific surface area exceeding 300 m²/g. According to Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silicon Polvere, the materials produced will be sent to various potential clients under non-disclosure agreements (NDA) for qualification. The objective is to negotiate offtake agreements for the low-carbon fumed silica material.

HPQ Polvere and PyroGenesis are currently updating the project's technical and economic study. This revision incorporates process improvements and prior royalty amendment discussions. The company believes its technology can significantly enhance economic potential in an industry where traditional fumed silica manufacturers typically achieve EBITDA margins around 20%.