HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ”), a cutting-edge technology company specializing in green engineering processes for silica and silicon material production, is making remarkable strides in its PUREVAP™ Gen3 Quartz Reduction Reactor pilot plan project (“Gen3 QRR”). Building on the August 9th, 2023 release, HPQ is excited to share the latest developments with its shareholders.

The Gen3 QRR project has achieved a remarkable 80% success rate in reaching key milestones. These include producing silicon with an exceptional purity level of 99.5% (2N+), significantly exceeding commercially available thresholds. The project has also demonstrated a production scale increase of 2,500 times compared to the PUREVAP™ Gen2 QRR. Additionally, the reactor exhibited semi-continuous batch production capabilities, enabling the one-step production of 3N+ Silicon, suitable for battery-grade applications.

A notable achievement in the Gen3 QRR project is its ability to produce silicon using 25% less feedstock than conventional carbothermic processes, which typically use six tons of raw materials to produce one ton of metallurgical grade silicon.

To overcome previous challenges with silicon pouring, PyroGenesis Canada Inc., the project's technology provider, performed essential upgrades to enhance the Gen3 QRR design. These upgrades improve the fluidity of liquid silicon at the reactor's base and reduce silicon contamination during the pouring process.

PyroGenesis plans to deliver the modified crucible to the testing facility shortly, with the silicon pour anticipated to occur in the following week.

Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon, expressed excitement about the progress, emphasizing how the PUREVAP™ QRR process modernizes high-purity silicon production while reducing carbon emissions. He highlighted the potential to transform a century-old industrial process into an efficient, scalable, and low-carbon manufacturing method.

HPQ's achievements align with the increasing global demand for silicon, estimated to exceed 3.8 million tonnes by 2025. This demand includes the growing market for Silicon-based anode materials, projected to reach approximately 300,000 tonnes by 2030. The traditional silicon manufacturing processes, still in use today, contribute significantly to CO2 emissions, making the HPQ PUREVAP™ Gen3 QRR project a critical step towards a more sustainable future.

With the upgraded GEN3 QRR crucible nearing readiness, HPQ is on the cusp of a successful Silicon pour, marking a significant milestone in the project's journey towards revolutionizing silicon production.

View original release: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/09/28/2751102/0/en/HPQ-PUREVAP-Gen3-QRR-Project-Update.html