MONTREAL, July 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company driving innovation in advanced materials and critical process development, is pleased to provide an update on the commercialization of the proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor ("FSR") technology developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. ("HSPI") in connection with PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis”).

While HSPI remains a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ, HPQ and PyroGenesis are in the final stages of completing the previously announced transaction pursuant to which PyroGenesis will acquire a 50% ownership interest in HSPI ^[1] while remaining the exclusive supplier of equipment for the commercialization of the FSR technology.

Building on the successful pilot-scale production of commercial-grade "150" fumed silica, the independent validation of its commercial performance, the execution of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a proposed 1,000 tonne-per-year commercial plant (“MOU”), and the completion of an extensive engineering review, HPQ believes the successful completion of the pilot program has advanced the FSR program beyond technology validation and toward commercial deployment.

Pilot Program Achieves Its Primary Objectives

The pilot-scale program was designed with two principal objectives:

• demonstrate that the FSR could reliably produce commercial-grade fumed silica directly from quartz; and
• generate the engineering and operating data required to support the design, costing and economic evaluation of future commercial production facilities.

Throughout the pilot program, and following the execution of the MOU, PyroGenesis completed a detailed engineering review of the operating data generated during pilot production. PyroGenesis’ review has strengthened confidence in the projected operating parameters and commercial-scale economics of the FSR technology.

For HPQ, this engineering work represents an important milestone because it substantially reduces technical uncertainty surrounding commercial deployment while providing a significantly stronger engineering basis for evaluating future deployment and business opportunities.

HSPI Commercial Discussions Have Expanded Beyond the Original Scope

As previously disclosed, the parties had anticipated completing negotiations related to the initially announced non-binding MOU by the end of the second quarter of 2026. That timeline reflected the information and commercial opportunities known at the time the MOU was announced.

Since announcing the MOU, the successful completion of the pilot program which validated the production of commercial-grade material, together with the increased confidence resulting from the engineering review, have resulted in the significant expansion of the market opportunities and strategic partnerships being evaluated.

As a result, strategic discussions have expanded beyond the framework originally contemplated. Management believes this broader level of commercial engagement justifies taking additional time to evaluate the business structures most likely to maximize the long-term value of the FSR technology for the Company and its shareholders.

Accordingly, discussions remain active, but additional time is required to complete the commercial, legal and technical work associated with these expanded opportunities.

HSPI Business Strategy Focused on Long-Term Value Creation

The proposed joint venture remains one of several strategic initiatives currently being advanced by the Company.

Consistent with this approach, HSPI's deployment strategy is focused on maximizing the value of the FSR technology through a combination of:

• joint ventures;
• licensing opportunities;
• royalty-based production partnerships; and
• company-owned production facilities where appropriate.

Management believes the modular design of the FSR technology provides the flexibility to pursue multiple business models, depending on customer requirements, regional economics and strategic partnerships.

Bernard Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon stated.

“The pilot program has demonstrated that our Fumed Silica Reactor can produce commercial-grade fumed silica directly from quartz and generated the engineering data required to evaluate multiple commercial pathways with significantly greater confidence. The pilot program has transformed the FSR from an engineering development project into a scalable industrial platform supported by independent validation, strengthened engineering confidence, and growing interest from potential industrial participants. Our focus is selecting the optimal deployment strategy while positioning the FSR as a scalable platform capable of serving multiple industrial markets and creating sustainable long-term shareholder value."

Next Steps

HPQ and HSPI intend to continue advancing strategic discussions with multiple industrial participants while completing the project-specific engineering required to support future industrial deployments.

The Company cautions that all proposed business initiatives remain subject to ongoing negotiations, execution of definitive agreements, regulatory approvals where applicable, customary commercial conditions, and there can be no assurance that any definitive agreements will be executed or that any proposed commercial project will ultimately proceed.

REFERENCE SOURCES

About HPQ Silica Polvere Inc. ("HSPI") and the Fumed Silica Reactor ("FSR")

As HSPI Technological supplier, PyroGenesis is the exclusive supplier of a plasma-based technology that uses quartz (SiO₂) as a raw material to produce commercial-grade fumed silica in a single and eco-friendly process while eliminating the use of harmful chemicals generated by some conventional methods. The FSR requires no additional processes to develop and prepare feedstock, and no intermediary toxic chemical-based processing. The FSR can produce fumed silica from quartz at one physical location.

When compared to some multi-step, traditional processing methods, the expected benefits of our fumed silica reactor process can generally be summarized as follows:

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange industrial issuer (TSX-V: HPQ) focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process development. In partnership with its research and development partner Novacium—of which HPQ is a shareholder—the Company is advancing next-generation silicon-based anode materials (Gen3) for batteries, commercializing its ENDURA+ lithium-ion cells, and developing breakthrough clean-hydrogen and waste-to-energy technologies, for which HPQ holds exclusive North American rights.

HPQ is also pursuing proprietary technologies to become a low-cost, zero-CO₂ producer of fumed silica and high-purity silicon, with technical support from PyroGenesis Inc. Together, these initiatives position HPQ to capture growth opportunities in the energy storage, clean hydrogen, and advanced materials markets essential to achieving global net-zero goals.

For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site.

About PyroGenesis Inc.

PyroGenesis leverages 35 years of plasma technology leadership to deliver advanced engineering solutions to energy, propulsion, destruction, process heating, emissions, and materials development challenges across heavy industry and defense. Its customers include global leaders in aluminum, aerospace, steel, iron ore, utilities, environmental services, military, and government. From its Montreal headquarters and local manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis’ engineers, scientists, and technicians drive innovation and commercialization of energy transition and ultra-high temperature technology. PyroGenesis’ operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, with ISO certification maintained since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares trade on the TSX (PYR), OTCQX (PYRGF), and Frankfurt (8PY1) stock exchanges. www.pyrogenesis.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding HPQ Silicon’s Fumed Silica Reactor project. Such statements reflect management’s expectations on future performance, pilot plant testing, commercialization, financing, and strategic milestones. They involve assumptions about technology, market conditions, financing, permits, supply chains, and economic factors. However, risks—including delays, financing challenges, regulatory changes, competition, commodity prices, geopolitical factors, and market demand—may cause actual results to differ materially.

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information is uncertain and not guarantees of future performance. Additional risk factors are detailed in HPQ’s Annual Information Form on SEDAR+.

A more detailed cautionary note regarding forward-looking information related to HPQ Fumed Silica is available for download [here].

Further information regarding the Company is available in the SEDAR+ database (www.sedarplus.ca), and on the Company’s website at: http://www.hpqsilicon.com/

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

Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.

For further information contact:

Bernard J. Tourillon, BAA - MBA, Chairman, President, and CEO
Tel +1 (514) 846-3271
Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com