MONTREAL, March 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (“HPQ” or the “Company”) ( , ), a technology company specializing in green engineering processes, would like to inform shareholder that recently announced on critical feedstock including Also, the Company would like to add that it intends to start commercial production of fumed silica using its pilot plant this year.HPQ Silicon Inc.TSX-V: HPQOTCQB: HPQFFFRA: O08,tariffsand resulting counter tariffsfumed silica has NO impact on discussions with parties under LOI and other NDAs interested in our Fumed Silica material and technologies.

HPQ, through its subsidiary is progressing as planned with the development of its . Following the successful production , the pilot plant is now optimizing operations . During this phase, the fumed silica produced will undergo internal testing, with samples sent to parties under LOI () and other NDAs.HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI) Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) systemof its first batch in late February 2025to increase throughput from 20–30 kg per batch to over 480 kg perday^[1],as per the July 9, 2024, release

By Q4 2025, HSPI will begin using its , making it With escalating U.S. tariff threats and potential countermeasures, the timing is critical, as these trade policies are expected to commercial production of fumed silicapilot-scale FSR systemCanada’s first domestic producer of fumed silica. disrupt supply chains and increase the cost of imported materials.

production, ,” said “Fumed silica is used in thousands of everyday products, yet Canada has no domestic leaving Canadian manufacturers vulnerable to unpredictable trade policies that could swiftly drive prices up.. “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."As a result, prices are expected to rise by at least 25%, squeezing businesses and limiting growthBernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere

Fumed Silica: A High-Value Material Caught in a Trade War

Fumed silica is a used in applications ranging from cosmetics and paints to lithium-ion batteries, adhesives, and reinforced polymers. Its , and mechanical strength, viscosity, and stability make it indispensable across multiple sectors.high-performance industrial materialhigh surface area, lightweight structureability to enhance

The global fumed silica market and is projected to , driven by increasing demand for high-performance materials in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced coatings. The fumed silica market is and is projected to valued at approximately US $2.0 billion in 2024grow to over US $3.4 billion by 2034US and Canadian valued at approximately US $411 million in 2024grow to over US $587 million by 2034.^[2][3]

High capital and operational costs, along with environmental challenges tied to traditional fumed silica manufacturing, have . As a result, local manufacturers relying on this critical feedstock must import . With new tariffs and counter-tariffs being enacted, left Canada without domestic production capacity20,000 to 24,000 tonnes (t) annually—primarily from U.S. suppliers—at an average yearly cost of approximately US $200 million 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.^[4]

HPQ’s Fumed Silica Reactor: A Pathway to Supply Independence for Canadian Industry

HPQ Silicon, through its subsidiary is developing a low-Capex, low-Opex plasma-based fumed silica production technology in collaboration with . Unlike traditional multi-step production methods, which typically require between , HSPI’s one-step, energy-efficient process consumes only . This significant reduction in energy use lowers operating cost and carbon emissions while maintaining superior product quality.HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. (HSPI) ,PyroGenesis Canada Inc100 and 120 kWh per kg of fumed silica 8 to 12 kWh per kg ^[1][5][6]

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 (). 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.February 27, 2025, release

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 tariffsThis 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 competitivenessadded Tourillon

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]  Global Market Insights: Fumed Silica Market – By Product, Application Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2025 - 2034

[3]  FACT”MR: Fumed Silica Sales Outlook for North America (2024-2034)

[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)

About HPQ Silicon

() is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange Tier 1 Industrial Issuer.HPQ Silicon Inc.TSX-V: HPQ

HPQ is developing, with the support of world-class technology partners and , new green processes crucial to make the critical materials needed to reach net zero emissions.PyroGenesis Inc.NOVACIUM SAS

HPQ activities are centred around the following five (5) pillars:

For more information, please visit .HPQ Silicon web site

About PyroGenesis Inc.

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 , a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. CEO Verified Discussion Forum

HPQ Silicon Inc.Source:

For further information contact:

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514) 846-3271Email:
[email protected]

1. Becoming a green low-cost (Capex and Opex) manufacturer of Fumed Silica using the , a proprietary technology owned by HPQ Silica Polvere Inc being developed for HSPI by PyroGenesis.FUMED SILICA REACTOR
2. Becoming a producer of silicon-based anode materials for battery applications with the assistance of NOVACIUM SAS.
3. HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a low carbon, chemical based on demand and high-pressure autonomous hydrogen production system.
4. HPQ SILICON affiliate NOVACIUM SAS is developing a new process to transform black aluminium dross into a valuable resource.
5. Becoming a zero CO low-cost (Capex and Opex) producer of High Purity Silicon (2N+ to 4N) using our a proprietary technology owned by HPQ being developed for HPQ by PyroGenesis.₂PUREVAP “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), ^TM