PyroGenesis provides update on PUREVAP Quartz Reduction Reactor

PyroGenesis Canada provides, further to HPQ Silicon’s press release dated September 28th, 2023 and the Company’s news release dated June 1, 2023, an update on its strategic engineering partnership with HPQ on two projects: the PUREVAP Quartz Reduction Reaction pilot plant and the Fumed Silica Reactor project. As part of the terms of both projects with HPQ, PyroGenesis benefits from a royalty payment representing 10% of the Client’s eventual sales, with set minimums. With respect to the FSR with HPQ Silica Polvere, a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ, this royalty stream, can, at any time, be converted by PyroGenesis into a 50% ownership in HPQ Polvere. PUREVA Quartz Reduction Reactor Project: The QRR pilot plant was designed and built to transform lower-purity quartz into high-purity silicon in a single step. The past few weeks have seen noteworthy progress and confirmations. Optimized QRR design for high performance during the tapping process, minimizing silicon contamination. Next Steps for PUREVAP: The Path to Commercialization: Further testing of the enhanced system will conclude with a silicon pouring step, which is scheduled within the next few weeks. After a successful pour, PyroGenesis and HPQ will determine the number of PUREVAP QRR systems required to construct a full commercial plant and thereafter will move towards full commercialization. Fumed Silica Reactor Project: The Fumed Silica Reactor, another plasma-based process, converts quartz into fumed silica in a single and eco-friendly step. By eliminating the use of harmful chemicals generated by conventional methods the groundbreaking FSR approach, if successful, will help contribute to the repatriation of silica production to North America. In a major step towards commercial-scale production, PyroGenesis has successfully deployed the FSR on a laboratory scale, resulting in the milestone production of fumed silica. Preliminary tests and analysis have confirmed that the material produced has chemical and physical characteristics compatible with those of commercially available fumed silica.