PyroGenesis Canada Inc (PYRGF)

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PyroGenesis Announces $700,000 Grant from SDTC to Develop a Pilot System to Transform Quartz into Fumed Silica with HPQ Silicon Resources
PRESS RELEASE GlobeNewswire
May. 27, 2021, 11:45 AM
MONTREAL, May 27, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (https://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (NASDAQ: PYR) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company (hereinafter referred to as the “Company” or “PyroGenesis”) that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powders, environmentally-friendly plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce that PyroGenesis received a $700,000 grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (“SDTC”) for a novel production process to transform quartz into fumed silica using a plasma reactor, thereby reducing hazardous waste and greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in comparison to the established fumed silica production process. This project is in partnership with HPQ Silicon Resources (“HPQ”), provider of innovative, cost-effective and low carbon emission silicon-based solutions. The proposed start date for SDTC funding is June 2021, subject to execution of the project funding agreement with SDTC.

For this project, PyroGenesis and HPQ will collaborate on the design, fabrication and operation of a novel pilot system to demonstrate the production of fumed silica, an inert and non-hazardous substance, using a plasma reactor. Fumed silica is used as a thickening agent in a wide range of applications, such as paints, cosmetics, coatings, inks and resins. The companies will (i) build and test a pilot system to investigate if continuous production of fumed silica by plasma is feasible, (ii) produce bulk samples of high-quality fumed silica for property evaluation, and (iii) use pilot data as the basis for a techno-economic feasibility study, where this new technology will be compared to the existing commercial process. The project will be conducted over a 2-year period, starting in June 2021.

“Fumed silica has unique physical properties which make it a useful and versatile commodity, including high surface area and low bulk density,” said Mr. Pierre Carabin, CTO and Chief Strategist “The established process for making this product is flame hydrolysis, a lengthy, expensive, and wasteful multistep process requiring transportation of the materials between multiple locations. With this project, PyroGenesis and HPQ will propose an alternative solution which would eliminate the toxic by-products of the conventional process and reduce GHG emissions by about 90%. If successful, it will be a game-changer for the industry.”

“We wish to thank SDTC for their continued support of Canadian entrepreneurs in general, and our project specifically,” added Mr. Pierre Carabin. “One cannot overstate the impact SDTC support has towards the commercialization of our novel production process to transform quartz into fumed silica using a plasma reactor. Their credibility alone speaks volumes as they are a very discerning valued partner. We are also working with HPQ Silicon Resources on this project, and we look forward to ultimately delivering, as the PyroGenesis/SDTC/HPQ team. the environmental solution to an issue that has been plaguing the industry for years.”

“Sustainable Development Technology Canada is incredibly proud to support PyroGenesis’ innovative plasma technology which helps reduce harmful toxins from entering our environment. By investing in companies, like PyroGenesis we can bring lasting economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians and the world” said Leah Lawrence, President and CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada.

About SDTC

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) helps Canadian companies develop and deploy competitive, clean technology solutions, to help solve some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges: climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil. By taking a cross-Canada approach, from seed to scale, and in partnership with the best peers and experts, SDTC is the global benchmark for sustainable development innovation programming.

About HPQ Silicon Resources

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based innovative silicon solutions company that offers innovative silica (SiO2), silicon (Si) based solutions and is developing a unique portfolio of high value-added silicon (Si) products sought after by battery and electric vehicle manufacturers.

Silicon (Si), also known as silicon metal, is one of today’s key strategic materials needed for the decarbonization of the economy and the Renewable Energy Revolution (“RER”). However, silicon does not exist in its pure state and must be extracted from quartz (SiO2) in what has historically been a capital and energy-intensive process.