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.

Independent validation, government alignment, and first-mover advantage converge as HPQ moves toward commercialization.

TURNING A CENTURY-OLD PROCESS ON ITS HEAD

HPQ Silicon  $HPQ / $HPQFF is developing a one-step, plasma-based process that can convert quartz directly into fumed silica — eliminating multiple costly and carbon-intensive steps used by today’s global producers.

Following the successful completion of Test #7, HPQ has shipped its pilot plant samples to an independent, accredited third-party laboratory for official certification — a key step in confirming commercial-grade performance.

“Once we achieve certified results confirming surface areas above 150 m²/g, we’ll have validated commercial-grade fumed silica made in a single, scalable step,” said HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon. “That’s when commercialization truly begins.”

WHY THIS MATTERS

Fumed silica is a multi-billion-dollar global market, yet Canada currently produces none and imports all of its $200,000,000 market. Used in batteries, cosmetics, electronics, and food, it’s a critical material across multiple industries.

HPQ’s pilot success and independent validation position it as Canada’s only potential domestic producer, aligned with national manufacturing priorities.

• Government Tailwinds: Canada’s renewed manufacturing push — reinforced by recent comments from Mark Carney and federal ministers — emphasizes local production of critical materials.

• Institutional Support: Québec’s investment arm, Investissement Québec, holds an 8% equity stake in HPQ.

• Green Advantage: HPQ’s direct-quartz process eliminates hydrogen chloride gas and significantly lowers carbon emissions — making it both cleaner and potentially cheaper than legacy methods.

COMMERCIAL PATHWAY: FROM PILOT TO PRODUCTION

With accredited test data expected shortly, HPQ plans to use the results to support financing and partnerships for multiple 1,000-ton-per-year plants, estimated at $15–20 million each and well below costs of legacy manufacturers.

Each unit could serve 1/15th of the Canadian market worth roughly $200 million annually, while paving the way for international joint ventures.

Tourillon emphasized that Canada will serve as the blueprint:

“We can demonstrate it here first — then replicate the model globally, from the U.S. to Europe and Asia. Canada gives us the foundation and leverage for world-scale negotiations.”

INVESTOR TAKEAWAY

HPQ Silicon’s one-step, low-emission process is progressing from proof-of-concept to proof-of-commerce. With third-party validation underway, alignment with government policy, and a clear domestic production plan, HPQ is approaching the stage where innovation meets execution.

If successful, HPQ could become the first new entrant in decades to reshape the fumed silica industry — and a potential benchmark for clean-tech manufacturing in Canada.

“Projects like HPQ Silicon’s strengthen Canada’s ability to manufacture components for high-performance batteries, and are creating a world-class battery ecosystem…” – The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canada is taking action to build a nation that is ready to unlock the strength, potential and innovation of our workers, businesses, and resources. The work being done by HPQ Silicon is a key part of that goal.” – Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

WHAT’S NEW

HPQ Silicon $HPQ / $HPQFF announced it has been awarded up to C$3 million in federal funding to accelerate commercialization of its silicon-based anode materials—a key component that can increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. The funding is non-dilutive (no new shares issued) and is aimed at moving from lab success to scaled manufacturing.

WHY IT MATTERS

Silicon anodes can store more energy than conventional graphite alone, but historically they’ve faced swelling and durability issues. HPQ Silicon has addressed major integration challenges and produced commercial-grade material designed to deliver meaningful performance gains over 1,000 charge cycles—a hurdle that has limited broader adoption.

COMMERCIAL PATH AND TIMING 

CEO Bernard Tourillon outlines a near-term plan to scale production capacity and finalize equipment manufacturing with its R&D and engineering partners over the next 3–6 months. The goal: move from pilot output to an initial commercial line sized for meaningful cell volumes, with the company referencing a 50-ton per year material system as a stepping stone to larger deployments.

3RD PARTY VALIDATION 

Beyond the federal award, HPQ emphasized that the funding came after a rigorous, multi-stage government review process that effectively validates its technology and commercial approach. The company continues to work closely with its specialist R&D partner to refine the production system and has already been invited to participate in upcoming industry and government showcases, underscoring its role in Canada’s broader battery ecosystem. Together, these elements provide not just financial support, but also external recognition that positions HPQ as a credible player in the emerging market for advanced battery materials.

MARKET POTENTIAL

Bernard Tourillon underscored that the demand for more efficient batteries is only increasing, driven by rising global energy needs—even as active populations plateau. He highlighted that industry experts view lithium-based batteries enhanced with graphite and silicon as the long-term path forward, much like how solar technology became the dominant standard after years of incremental improvement. HPQ’s silicon anode material, validated through government funding, is designed to integrate directly into existing battery production lines. This positions both HPQ and Canada to be competitive players in a market that will continue to expand as efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness remain top priorities worldwide.

THE TAKEAWAY

The interview frames a credible multi step-change for HPQ: government validation, non-dilutive capital, a defined 3–6 month scale-up plan, and a cost pathway via continuous processing. Execution remains key, but the risk-reward has improved as the company moves from “talking the talk” to building capacity for commercial orders. 

UNLOCKING COMMERCIAL SCALE: 1.5M CELLS TODAY, SCALABLE TO 40M

HPQ Silicon $HPQ / $HPQFF is moving from promise to proof. In our latest interview, CEO Bernard Tourillon explains how the company is translating lab-scale production into commercial opportunity—projecting annual output of 1.5 million high-performance HPQ ENDURA+ lithium-ion cells powered by its proprietary silicon-based anode material.

The message is clear: HPQ is not just developing next-generation materials. It is showing the market it can scale.

COMMERCIALIZATION PATH

HPQ’s strategy combines two critical moves:

• HPQ ENDURA+ 18650 batteries showcase the performance edge of silicon anodes, extending cycle life up to 1,000 charges.

• Controlled supply chain ensures HPQ can deliver product and prove capacity to partners.

MARKET OPPORTUNITY

The silicon anode materials market is forecast to reach $130 billion within a few years. HPQ’s ability to produce cells at scale positions it to capture early niche markets such as e-bikes, power tools, and drones—sectors where agile small caps can gain share before competing with global giants.

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK

Tourillon frames the company’s approach as “low-capex, high-margin.” By leveraging subcontractors for assembly, HPQ minimizes upfront risk while maximizing value creation. Scaling from 2 tons to 50 tons of material capacity could expand output from 1.5M to as much as 40M cells per year—transforming lab innovation into industrial-scale business.

“With just 2 tons of silicon anode material, we can make 1.5 million batteries. That’s the power of our technology—and why industry partners are starting to take notice.” — Bernard Tourillon, CEO

BOTTOM LINE FOR INVESTORS

HPQ is positioning itself as a disruptive small-cap contender in one of the fastest-growing markets in energy storage. With capacity projections now quantified and industry interest building, the company is entering commercialization with the potential for transformative growth.

This is more than a milestone—it’s an inflection point in HPQ’s strategy to secure its place in the global battery supply chain.

When a leading global manufacturer of fumed silica asks a small cap company for product samples and then confirms those samples meet commercial-grade standards, it signals more than validation. It signals disruption. HPQ Silicon (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF) has achieved exactly that, advancing its one-step, cleaner, and lower-cost process for producing fumed silica from quartz.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• • Independent Validation: Confirmed by a top global fumed silica producer

• Global Interest: 6 of the top 7 players in the world are interested

• LOI With World Leader: The biggest fumed silica maker in the world has already signed an LOI
• Scale-up achieved: After 60+ lab-scale tests producing grams of material, HPQ is now producing kilograms at pilot scale.

STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMERICIALIZATION 

Fumed silica is a ubiquitous material, used in food, cosmetics, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Today’s market is dominated by a few entrenched players with billions invested in traditional production methods. HPQ’s process lowers barriers to entry, potentially enabling even quartz deposit holders to participate in higher-value fumed silica production rather than selling raw material at low margins.

As HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon explained:

“This is a pivotal validation of both the process and the product—confirming that we can now produce commercial-grade fumed silica in a single-step, scalable operation.”

PROTECTING SHAREHOLDER VALUE

Management emphasized the importance of pursuing commercialization strategically, including funding commitments and offtake agreements, while safeguarding shareholder interests and intellectual property. HPQ also benefits from the support of institutional investor Investissement Québec, which holds an 8% stake — an often-overlooked factor that strengthens its position in any potential negotiations.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Test #6 marks the turning point where HPQ can begin serious NDA and LOI discussions with industry partners. The company’s next target is to push surface area performance above 200 m²/g, opening the door to the highest-value grades of fumed silica.

INVESTOR TAKAWAY

With third-party validation, a dramatic scale-up from grams to kilograms, and confirmation that its bold claim is now reality, HPQ Silicon has crossed a critical threshold. In an industry ripe for innovation, HPQ is positioning itself as a potential paradigm-shifter — one that could redefine cost structures, environmental standards, and competitive dynamics across the global fumed silica market.