- PyroGenesis Canada has reached the next milestone for its pilot plant development with HPQ Silicon
- Engineering design and major fabrication has concluded, additional peripheral materials have been ordered, the 50 tonnes per year fumed silica reactor (FSR) pilot plant has entered the construction phase
- If successful, the team said the FSR could provide a groundbreaking contribution to the repatriation of silica production to North America
- PyroGenesis Canada last traded at $0.48 per share and HPQ Silicon last traded at $0.21 per share
PyroGenesis Canada (TSX:PYR) has reached the next milestone for its pilot plant development with HPQ Silicon (TSXV:HPQ).
The fumed silica reactor (FSR) technology project is being worked on with HPQ’s wholly owned subsidiary, Silica Polvere Inc. With the engineering design having concluded, major fabrication ending, and all additional peripheral materials having been ordered, the 50 tonnes per year FSR pilot plant is now entering the construction phase.
Fumed silica reactor project highlights
The FSR pilot plant will be constructed inside PyroGenesis’ facilities, with a custom-designed infrastructure that meets the pilot plant’s unique ventilation, safety, and access requirements. A 370-square-metre facility with a 9-metre height allowance has been allocated to house the pilot plant, which itself has an approximate layout footprint of 15 metres by 9 metres.
The FSR converts quartz into fumed silica (also known as pyrogenic silica) in a single step while eliminating the use of harmful chemicals generated by conventional methods.
Fumed silica is a moisture-absorbing white microstructure powder with high surface area and low bulk density. It is most often used as a thickening agent, anti-caking agent and stabilizer to improve the texture and consistency of products. The commercial applications of fumed silica can be found in many industries across thousands of product lines, including personal care, powdered food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, adhesives, paints, sealants, construction, batteries and automotive.
If successful, the team said the FSR could provide a groundbreaking contribution to the repatriation of silica production to North America.
The pilot plant’s construction has begun with commissioning anticipated by Q2 2024.
A competitive advantage
HPQ’s fumed silica reactor can offer several competitive advantages compared to legacy production technology, including an 86 per cent reduction in energy use and a tripling of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margins.
The parties will now focus on due diligence and collaborating to enhance HPQ’s planned 1,000 tonnes per year fumed silica reactor, which is slated for initial production in 2027.
“This development milestone initiates the construction phase of what we believe to be a truly innovative approach to producing one of industry’s most in-demand materials,” P. Peter Pascali, PyroGenesis’ president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “Conventional fumed silica processes, which rely on silicon metal (Si) as raw material, not only have a significant carbon footprint of around 9.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of fumed silica, but also present complex process challenges which include, but are not limited to, using hazardous materials. The technology developed by PyroGenesis for HPQ Polvere is designed to offer significant economic and environmental advantages over conventional manufacturers – improving profitability, but also reducing the environmental footprint and reducing the harmful chemicals associated with traditional fumed silica production.”
About the team
PyroGenesis Canada designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions that reduce greenhouse gases. The company’s technologies are being vetted and adopted by multiple multi-billion-dollar industry leaders in iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management and additive manufacturing.
HPQ Silicon is a green technology stock focused on producing the critical materials needed to reach net-zero emissions. The company’s efforts are centred on fumed silica, high-purity silicon, silicon-based anode materials for battery applications, and on-demand hydrogen production.
PyroGenesis Canada stock last traded at $0.48 per share.
HPQ Silicon stock last traded at $0.21 per share.
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