PyroGenesis Confirms Third-Party SEM Analysis Supports Pilot-Scale Fumed Silica Morphology Consistent with Commercial-Grade Fumed Silica
PyroGenesis (OTCQX: PYRGF) announced positive third-party Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis results for their Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot project. The analysis confirmed that Phase 1 Test #5 material demonstrates morphology and structure consistent with commercial-grade fumed silica, matching previous lab-scale results with improved particle structure.
The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis indicates successful reactor enhancements are bridging the gap between pilot-run and lab-scale surface area performance. The company is preparing for Phase 2 trials scheduled for August 2025 to further validate material quality and prepare for commercial qualification.
PyroGenesis holds a 50% interest in HPQ Polvere Inc. and maintains an exclusive arrangement as the sole equipment supplier for this new process, which is part of their Commodity Security & Optimization vertical.
PyroGenesis (OTCQX: PYRGF) ha annunciato risultati positivi dall'analisi di Microscopia Elettronica a Scansione (SEM) effettuata da terzi per il loro progetto pilota del Reattore di Silice Fusa (FSR). L'analisi ha confermato che il materiale del Test #5 della Fase 1 presenta una morfologia e struttura coerenti con la silice fusa di qualità commerciale, in linea con i risultati precedenti a scala di laboratorio, ma con una struttura particellare migliorata.
L'analisi Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) indica che i miglioramenti apportati al reattore stanno colmando il divario tra le prestazioni in termini di area superficiale tra la produzione pilota e quella a scala di laboratorio. L'azienda si sta preparando per le prove della Fase 2 previste per agosto 2025 al fine di convalidare ulteriormente la qualità del materiale e prepararsi alla qualificazione commerciale.
PyroGenesis detiene una quota del 50% in HPQ Polvere Inc. e mantiene un accordo esclusivo come unico fornitore di attrezzature per questo nuovo processo, che rientra nel loro settore Commodity Security & Optimization.
PyroGenesis (OTCQX: PYRGF) anunció resultados positivos de un análisis de Microscopía Electrónica de Barrido (SEM) realizado por terceros para su proyecto piloto del Reactor de Sílice Humeante (FSR). El análisis confirmó que el material de la Prueba #5 de la Fase 1 presenta una morfología y estructura consistentes con sílice humeante de grado comercial, coincidiendo con resultados previos a escala de laboratorio y con una estructura de partículas mejorada.
El análisis Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) indica que las mejoras en el reactor están cerrando la brecha entre el rendimiento de área superficial en la producción piloto y la escala de laboratorio. La compañía se está preparando para los ensayos de la Fase 2 programados para agosto de 2025 para validar aún más la calidad del material y prepararse para la calificación comercial.
PyroGenesis posee un 50% de participación en HPQ Polvere Inc. y mantiene un acuerdo exclusivo como único proveedor de equipos para este nuevo proceso, que forma parte de su vertical de Commodity Security & Optimization.
PyroGenesis (OTCQX: PYRGF)가 제3자 주사전자현미경(SEM) 분석 결과를 발표했습니다. 해당 분석은 Fumed Silica Reactor(FSR) 파일럿 프로젝트의 1단계 테스트 #5 소재가 상업용 등급의 퓨드 실리카와 일치하는 형태 및 구조임을 확인했으며, 이전 실험실 규모 결과보다 입자 구조가 개선된 것으로 나타났습니다.
Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) 분석 결과는 반응기 개선이 파일럿 생산과 실험실 규모의 표면적 성능 차이를 줄이고 있음을 보여줍니다. 회사는 2025년 8월 예정된 2단계 시험을 준비 중이며, 이를 통해 소재 품질을 추가로 검증하고 상업적 인증을 준비할 계획입니다.
PyroGenesis는 HPQ Polvere Inc.의 50% 지분을 보유하고 있으며, 이 새로운 공정에 대해 독점적으로 장비 공급업체로 활동하고 있습니다. 이는 Commodity Security & Optimization 부문에 속한 사업입니다.
PyroGenesis (OTCQX : PYRGF) a annoncé des résultats positifs d'une analyse par Microscopie Électronique à Balayage (SEM) réalisée par un tiers pour leur projet pilote du Réacteur de Silice Fumée (FSR). L'analyse a confirmé que le matériau du Test n°5 de la Phase 1 présente une morphologie et une structure conformes à celles de la silice fumée de qualité commerciale, en accord avec les résultats précédents à l'échelle du laboratoire, avec une structure particulaire améliorée.
L'analyse Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) indique que les améliorations du réacteur comblent l'écart entre les performances en surface du pilote et celles à l'échelle du laboratoire. La société se prépare aux essais de la Phase 2 prévus pour août 2025 afin de valider davantage la qualité du matériau et de préparer la qualification commerciale.
PyroGenesis détient une participation de 50 % dans HPQ Polvere Inc. et bénéficie d'un accord exclusif en tant que seul fournisseur d'équipements pour ce nouveau procédé, qui fait partie de leur division Commodity Security & Optimization.
PyroGenesis (OTCQX: PYRGF) gab positive Ergebnisse einer Drittanbieter-Analyse mittels Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (SEM) für ihr Pilotprojekt des Fumed Silica Reactors (FSR) bekannt. Die Analyse bestätigte, dass das Material des Phase 1 Test #5 eine Morphologie und Struktur aufweist, die mit kommerziell erhältlicher gefumeter Kieselsäure übereinstimmt, was frühere Laborergebnisse mit verbesserter Partikelstruktur bestätigt.
Die Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-Analyse zeigt, dass die Verbesserungen am Reaktor die Lücke zwischen Pilot- und Labormaßstab in Bezug auf die Oberflächenleistung schließen. Das Unternehmen bereitet sich auf Phase-2-Tests im August 2025 vor, um die Materialqualität weiter zu validieren und die kommerzielle Qualifikation vorzubereiten.
PyroGenesis hält eine 50%ige Beteiligung an HPQ Polvere Inc. und hat eine exklusive Vereinbarung als alleiniger Ausrüstungsanbieter für diesen neuen Prozess, der zu ihrer Commodity Security & Optimization-Sparte gehört.
- SEM analysis confirms successful production of commercial-grade fumed silica at pilot scale
- Reactor enhancements successfully improving surface area performance
- 50% ownership stake in HPQ Polvere Inc. with exclusive equipment supply rights
- Technology addresses large market with applications across multiple industries
- Still requires further optimization for process stability and yield enhancement
- Phase 2 trials pending - commercial viability not yet fully validated
Optimization continues in advance of planned Phase 2 performance trials set for August 2025
MONTREAL, July 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis”) (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY1), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes all-electric plasma processes and sustainable solutions to support heavy industry in their energy transition, emission reduction, commodity security, and waste remediation efforts, announces today that further to its news release dated July 8, 2025, and further to a recent press release from the Company’s client HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ”), PyroGenesis confirms that third-party Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis of Phase 1 Test #5 material from the Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) further validates recently announced key technical metrics for fumed silica samples generated by the pilot scale plant.
SEM is used to analyze the surface features and morphology microstructure of materials. By employing a focused beam of high-energy electrons, SEM delivers high-resolution images and detailed surface information far beyond the capabilities of optical microscopy, which is limited by visible light and lenses. In the context of fumed silica, where performance and market value are closely linked to specific surface area, particle size distribution, and aggregate morphology, SEM plays a critical role in validating the quality and consistency of the product.
LATEST PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
- SEM imagery confirms Phase 1 Test #5 material matches lab-scale fumed silica results with improved particle structure.
- SEM images exhibit morphology and structure consistent with commercial-grade fumed silica.
- Data from Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis – used to measure specific surface area – indicates reactor enhancements are successfully closing the gap between pilot-run and lab-scale surface area performance.
- Ongoing reactor optimizations set to maintain lab-scale surface area performance at pilot scale.
- Phase 2 trials are scheduled for August to further validate material quality and prepare for commercial qualification.
“With the SEM imagery validation of Test #5, we have greater confidence that the FSR consistently reproduces lab-scale quality at pilot volumes,” said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “Remaining engineering efforts will now focus on process stability, yield enhancement, and further surface area refinements – all critical for Phase 2, which is fast approaching.”
Image 1: Packaged fumed silica, produced by the FSR, ready for shipping to client’s test facility.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET CONTEXT
- Fumed silica is one of the most widely used industrial materials, and can be found in thousands of products, including cosmetics, toothpaste, pet litter, powdered food, milkshakes, instant coffee, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, adhesives, paints, inks, photocopy toner, sealants, fiber optic cables, thermal insulation, construction materials, and batteries, to name a few. It is often used in these products as a thickening/anti-caking agent, used to stabilize and improve the texture, consistency, and flow of the end-product.
- Fumed silica is often combined with other materials to enhance performance. For example, in tires, it is blended with carbon-black to improve wear and efficiency; in batteries, it is blended with graphite to enhance slurry uniformity and conductivity.
- PyroGenesis has been engaged to develop and build the FSR pilot plant for HPQ Polvere Inc. (“Polvere”), a subsidiary of HPQ.
- PyroGenesis has: (i) a
50% interest in Polvere, and (ii) an exclusive arrangement to be the sole supplier of equipment relating to any commercialization of this new process.
PyroGenesis’ involvement in developing fumed silica from quartz is part of its three-vertical solution ecosystem that aligns with economic drivers that are key to global heavy industry. Fumed powders are part of PyroGenesis’ Commodity Security & Optimization vertical, where the development of advanced material production techniques, and the use of technology such as plasma to recover viable metals, chemicals, and minerals from industrial waste, helps to maximize raw materials and improve the availability of critical minerals. The Company’s other verticals are Energy Transition and Emission Reduction and Waste Remediation.
About PyroGenesis Inc.
PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY1).
Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under “Risk Factors” in PyroGenesis’ latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities, all of which are available under PyroGenesis’ profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
For further information please contact:
Rodayna Kafal, Vice President, IR/Comms. and Strategic BD
E-mail: ir@pyrogenesis.com
http://www.pyrogenesis.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3810e480-e734-4ff5-a7f6-5a50a7d70543
FAQ
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