HPQ’s pilot test shows major improvements in fumed silica purity and quality, validating semi-continuous reactor operation and advancing commercialization.
HPQ Silicon Inc., a leading innovator in advanced materials and critical process technologies, has announced promising results from its latest pilot-scale fumed silica test. The company reported that Phase 1 Test #5 of its proprietary Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant not only demonstrated improved product quality and purity but also marked a significant operational milestone: the reactor’s successful performance under a semi-continuous feedstock feeding protocol.
Technology partner PyroGenesis Inc. confirmed that the test replicated material production and recovery within the system’s dedicated collection unit—commonly referred to as the “baghouse.” This achievement represents a key step toward the commercial validation of HPQ Silica Polvere Inc.’s innovative reactor design. Notably, it highlights the transition from batch-based production to a more efficient semi-continuous system, aligning with industrial scalability goals.
One of the most significant outcomes of Test #5 was the marked improvement in the quality and purity of the fumed silica. Independent analysis by a globally recognized fumed silica manufacturer (referred to as LGFSM) confirmed the material produced had 85% less carbon-based impurities compared to earlier tests. Additional impurities were also significantly reduced by 50% to 86%. Furthermore, the material’s surface area—a key performance indicator—showed a 57% increase, suggesting stronger product capabilities for future applications.
Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of both HPQ Silicon and HPQ Silica Polvere Inc., emphasized that these results demonstrate the successful 20-fold scale-up of the FSR system. From lab-scale to pilot-scale, and from batch to semi-continuous operation, the reactor’s core performance metrics have not only been preserved but enhanced. “These tests confirm that our process can reliably replicate and improve material characteristics at larger scales, laying the groundwork for continued process optimization,” Tourillon stated.
Looking ahead, HPQ is now shifting into Phase 2 testing. This next phase will concentrate on enhancing the surface area of the fumed silica, targeting BET values up to 300 m²/g. Achieving this will further strengthen the material’s competitiveness for industrial applications such as high-performance coatings, sealants, and composites.
Tourillon expressed strong optimism for the next steps, noting that overcoming the key technical hurdles in Phase 1 has positioned the company well for its next objectives. “Having validated both the reactor’s scalability and its ability to produce higher-quality material, we are excited about the possibilities Phase 2 testing holds,” he concluded.
HPQ Silicon, a Tier 1 Industrial Issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange and based in Quebec, is advancing innovative green technologies with the support of leading partners PyroGenesis Canada and NOVACIUM SAS. The company is focused on developing sustainable processes essential for producing critical materials required to achieve net-zero emissions.
