When a company proves it can do what’s never been done before – producing commercial-grade fumed silica directly from quartz in a single step – it marks a seismic shift in a century-old industry. HPQ Silicon (TSX-V: HPQ / OTCQB: HPQFF) has just crossed that line, confirming independent pilot-scale validation of its breakthrough plasma process.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Binary ON: HPQ replicated McGill-verified lab results at pilot scale — confirming commercial-grade purity and surface area.
- Industry Validation: An LOI remains active with the largest fumed silica manufacturer in the world to evaluate pilot samples.
- Commercial Stage Begins: Independent results open the door to direct engagement with multiple industrial buyers under NDA.
- Canadian Advantage: Positioned to capture up to 50% of Canada’s $200M market, which currently imports 100% of its supply.
- High-Margin Economics: Targeting ~70% gross profit margins on a market-priced product ($5K–$6K/ton).
STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS
For decades, the global fumed silica industry — valued in the billions — has relied on a fossil-fuel-intensive process that’s toxic and expensive. HPQ’s one-step, plasma-based system eliminates hydrogen chloride, slashes CO₂ by 84%, and reduces energy use by 87%.
With federal and Québec government support funding two-thirds of its pilot costs, HPQ is now transitioning from R&D to commercialization — a rare pivot point where innovation meets execution.
CEO BERNARD TOURILLON:
“This is a massive milestone. We’ve replicated our lab results at pilot scale — a world first. That means we can now move from saying ‘we will’ to ‘we have,’ and start direct commercial discussions.”
INVESTOR TAKEAWAY
HPQ Silicon has achieved what legacy players could not: proven scalability, independent validation, and a clean, cost-efficient pathway to domestic production. With major industry interest, government alignment, and multiple verticals advancing in parallel, HPQ isn’t just innovating — it’s redefining how fumed silica will be made and monetized in the clean-tech era.