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INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca Moves One Nano Step Closer To #Silicon For #Li-Ion #Batteries $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:47 AM on Thursday, January 16th, 2020

BlackRock CEO says the climate crisis is about to trigger ‘a fundamental reshaping of finance’ SPONSOR: $HPQ.ca Silicon $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:07 AM on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020

SPONSOR: HPQ-Silicon Resources HPQ: TSX-V aiming to become the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer. Click here for more info.

BlackRock CEO says the climate crisis is about to trigger ‘a fundamental reshaping of finance’

  • In an annual letter to CEOs published Tuesday, BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink said: “Climate change has become a defining factor in companies’ long-term prospects.”
  • “But awareness is rapidly changing, and I believe we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance,” he added.
  • BlackRock’s assets under management totaled almost $7 trillion in the third quarter of 2019.

Sam Meredith

The chief of the world’s largest money manager believes the intensifying climate crisis will bring about a fundamental reshaping of finance, with a significant reallocation of capital set to take place “sooner than most anticipate.”

In an annual letter to CEOs published Tuesday, BlackRock Chief Executive Larry Fink said: “Climate change has become a defining factor in companies’ long-term prospects … But awareness is rapidly changing, and I believe we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance.”

BlackRock’s assets under management totaled almost $7 trillion in the third quarter of 2019.

Fink’s comments come as business leaders, policymakers and investors prepare to travel to Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum next week.

The theme at this year’s January get-together, which is often criticized for being out of touch with the real world, has been designated as “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.”

“Climate change is almost invariably the top issue that clients around the world raise with BlackRock. From Europe to Australia, South America to China, Florida to Oregon, investors are asking how they should modify their portfolios,” Fink continued.

“And because capital markets pull future risk forward, we will see changes in capital allocation more quickly than we see changes to the climate itself.”

“In the near future — and sooner than most anticipate — there will be a significant reallocation of capital,” he added.

‘Defining issue of our time’

Alongside 20 other young climate activists, Sweden’s Greta Thunberg has called on all of those attending the World Economic Forum in the Swiss Alps to stop the “madness” of ongoing investments in fossil fuel exploration and extraction and “completely divest” from fossil fuels.

In an op-ed for The Guardian, published Friday, Thunberg — who was catapulted to fame for skipping school every Friday to hold a weekly vigil outside Swedish parliament in 2018 — said global leaders must also “end all fossil fuel subsidies.”

Protesting against political inaction over climate change, the 17-year-old sparked an international wave of school strikes — also known as “Fridays for Future” — with millions of other children following suit in cities around the world last year.

The United Nations has recognized climate change as “the defining issue of our time,” with a recent report calling the crisis “the greatest challenge to sustainable development.”

‘Climate change is different’ to other crises

“Over the 40 years of my career in finance, I have witnessed a number of financial crises and challenges — the inflation spikes of the 1970s and early 1980s, the Asian currency crisis in 1997, the dot-com bubble, and the global financial crisis,” BlackRock’s Fink said.

“Even when these episodes lasted for many years, they were all, in the broad scheme of things, short-term in nature. Climate change is different.”

“Even if only a fraction of the projected impacts is realized, this is a much more structural, long-term crisis. Companies, investors, and governments must prepare for a significant reallocation of capital,” he added.

Australia has drawn global attention in recent months, with the country currently experiencing one of its worst bush fire seasons on record.

Record high temperatures and drought exacerbated by the climate crisis have ignited blazes that have killed more than two dozen people and destroyed 2,000 homes since September.

More than a billion animals in Australia are thought to have been killed by raging wildfires in the last couple of months too.

Clarification: This report was revised to give updated figures for the effects of the Australian bush fires.

Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/14/blackrock-ceo-larry-fink-says-climate-change-will-soon-reshape-markets.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Message

Gen2 PUREVAP™ Proof of Concept Test Demonstrates Capacity to Produce Spherical Nano Powders From Silicon Metal for the Lithium-Ion Battery Market – $HPQ.ca Silicon Resources $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:09 AM on Wednesday, January 15th, 2020
  • PUREVAPTM Gen2 reactor was modified to test if it could produce Nano-powders
  • A key milestone was reached when the proof of concept test successfully produced spherical nano-powders from silicon metal as raw material, with a primary size <500 nanometre (<0.5 µ)

MONTREAL, Jan. 15, 2020 —HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.(“HPQ” - “The Company”)TSX-V: HPQ; FWB: UGE; Other OTC : URAGF; (“HPQ”) would like to update shareholders on progress made by HPQ and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) (“PyroGenesis”) regarding manufacturing Silicon Metal (Si) nano-powders for next generation Lithium (Li-ion) Si batteries.

GEN2 PUREVAPTM USED TO SYNTHESIZE SPHERICAL NANO POWDERS (SIZE <0.5 µ) FROM SILICON (Si)

The PUREVAPTM Gen2 reactor was modified to test if it could produce Nano-powders.  A key milestone was reached when the proof of concept test successfully produced spherical nano-powders from silicon metal as raw material, with a primary size <500 nanometre (<0.5 µ).

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images taken of the spherical nano-powders produced by the GEN2 PUREVAPTM

Image A is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e54d3d4f-276e-473a-b2f3-b336cdeb0698

Image B is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d8c8a42a-3c2b-4e5e-86e3-d958f60c2523

SPHERICAL NANOSCALE SILICON POWDERS KEY TO HIGHER ENERGY DENSITY LI-ION BATTERIES

Spherical Silicon Metal Nano-Powders have been identified as a key factor that will allow the manufacturing of high-performance Li-ion batteries using Silicon Metal (Si) anodes needed to deliver on the research promises of an almost tenfold (10x) increase in the specific capacity of the anode, inducing a 20-40% gain in the energy density of Li-ion batteries.  Current manufacturing methods for Silicon Metal Nano-Powders are expensive, not very scalable and not commercially feasible with US$ 30,000/kg1 selling prices.  HPQ and PyroGenesis are working to change that with our new approach.

MASSIVE ENERGY STORAGE DEMAND CANNOT BE MET UNLESS SILICON ANODES REPLACE GRAPHITE

The Li-ion battery is the dominant technology in energy storage while graphite, a fairly low energy density material compared to other anode materials, is the dominant anode material in for Li-Ion batteries.

A graph accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a443d48f-5db8-4da0-8072-dd53ea4317e3

Present anode technology limits the use of Silicon Metal (Si) powders to a blended form with graphite, resulting in less than 10 wt% Si in Li-ion batteries.  This explains the limited performance improvement achieved to date.

A recent report by Wood Mackenzie Power projects that energy storage deployments are estimated to grow 1,300% from a 12 Gigawatt-hour market in 2018 to a 158 Gigawatt-hour market in 2024.  This is why, even at these low content levels, demand for Silicon Metal powders is estimated to represent an addressable market of US $ 1B by 20222 expanding at a CAGR of 38.9% between 2019 – 2024.

HPQ AND PYROGENESIS WELL POSITIONED TO ASSUME FIRST MOVER ADVANTAGE IN THE MARKET

Building upon the success of the modified Gen2 PUREVAP™ proof of concept test, PyroGenesis is designing additional process improvements to the modified Gen2 PUREVAP™ Reactor in order to demonstrate the commercial potential of the high yield, low cost process we are developing to produce Spherical Silicon Metal (Si) nano-powders for the Li-ion batteries markets.

This represents a unique multibillion-dollar business opportunity that could subsequently lead to the wide scale adoption of our Material in the battery market.  If this occurs, HPQ and PyroGenesis would then be well positioned to assume a dominant market position.  In Q1 2020, the plan is to have the fully modified Gen2 PUREVAPTM reactor operational to validate that our approach both works and is scalable while also producing samples for industry participants and research institutions.

“PyroGenesis has a long the track record of taking high-technology projects from proof of concept to global commercial scalability, so if anybody has the knowhow to use the silicon metal produced by HPQ PUREVAP™QRR and make spherical Silicon Metal (Si) nano-powders for use as high-capacity anode materials in the next generations Li-ion batteries, it is them,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO HPQ Silicon. “Silicon Metal’s potential to meet energy storage demand is undeniable and generating massive investments, as well as, serious industry interest, so our timing could not be better.”

“We are delighted by the PUREVAP™ Gen2’s recent test results from which it has established a very important proof of concept for the production of spherical nano powders for the Lithium-ion batteries market,” said M. P Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis Canada Inc. “The success of this testing paves the way for an interesting business opportunity for both PyroGenesis and HPQ. The goal is to significantly increase the performance of Li-ion batteries, currently in demand, using silicon metal (Si) anodes, at a competitive cost. The potential from the battery and energy storage markets alone is estimated, on first review, to be quite significant.”

About Silicon Metal

Silicon Metal (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is developing, with PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma base processes, the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the One Step transformation of Quartz (SiO2) into High Purity Silicon (Si) at prices that will propagate its considerable renewable energy potential.  The Gen3 PUREVAPTM QRR pilot plant that will validate the commercial potential of the process is scheduled to start during Q1 2020.

HPQ, working with PyroGenesis, is also developing a process that can take the High Purity Silicon (Si) made by the PUREVAPTM and manufacture Spherical Silicon Metal nano-powders for Next Gen Li-ion batteries.  During Q1 2020, the plan is to validate our game changing manufacturing approach using a modified Gen2 PUREVAPTM reactor to produce spherical Silicon Metal (Si) nano-powders samples for industry participants and research institutions’.

Concurrently, HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop a manufacturing capability that uses the High Purity Silicon (Si) made with the PUREVAP™ to make Porous silicon wafers needed for solid-state Li-ion batteries.  The first Silicon wafer should be ready to be ship for testing to a battery manufacture (under NDA) during Q1 2020.

Finally, with Apollon Solar, we are also looking into developing a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of Silicon (Si) material of 4N+ purity with low boron count (< 1 ppm).

All in all, HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal (Si), High Purity Silicon Metal (Si), Spherical Si nano-powders for Next Gen Li-ion batteries, Porous Silicon Wafers for Solid states Li-ion batteries, Porous Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si).

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Disclaimers:

The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of any of the Company’s Quartz Projects.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
http://www.hpqsilicon.com Email: [email protected]

1 Source: Quotation from a producer (Confidential), Media article
2 Source Marketandmakerts.com 

Image A SEM X 75000 Resolution

Nano-powder picture taken with a SEM and a resolution X 75,000
Image B SEM X 100000 resolution

SEM Image of Nano-powders taken with X 100,000 resolution
IMAGE C – Energy density of anode materials

Graph representing The Energy Density of anode materials for batteries

Source: GlobeNewswire (January 15, 2020 – 8:00 AM EST)

News by QuoteMedia
www.quotemedia.com

$HPQ.ca Silicon Closes Non-Brokered Private Placement $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:36 AM on Monday, December 23rd, 2019
  • Closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,000,000 units at $0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of $210,000
  • “Manufacturing Silicon (Si) samples for emerging Li-ion batteries opportunities identified during the latter part of 2019 required additional investments.  This financing gives us the flexibility needed to accelerate our battery related R&D efforts in early 2020,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon.

MONTREAL, Dec. 23, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.(“HPQ” - “The Company”) TSX-V: HPQ; FWB: UGE; Other OTC: URAGF; announces that it closed a non-brokered private placement of 3,000,000 units (“Unit”) at $0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of $210,000.

“Manufacturing Silicon (Si) samples for emerging Li-ion batteries opportunities identified during the latter part of 2019 required additional investments.  This financing gives us the flexibility needed to accelerate our battery related R&D efforts in early 2020,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon.  â€œBeing able to attract this level of unsolicited investor interest, during the worst period of the year to raise hard cash funding, gives us great confidence about 2020 as we strive to deliver the critical Silicon material required by the surging Li-ion battery market in 2020 and beyond.”

Placement Terms:  Each Unit is comprised of one (1) common share and one (1) common share purchase warrant (“Warrant”) of the Company.  Each Warrant will entitle the Subscribers to purchase one common share of the capital stock of the Company at an exercise price of $ 0.10 for a period of 36 months from the date of closing of the placement. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will have a mandatory four (4) month and one (1) day holding period from the date of closing of the placement.  The Placement is subject to standard regulatory approvals.

In connection with the placement the Company will pay cash finder’s fee of $15,358 to StephenAvenue Securities Inc. (“StephenAvenue”) of Toronto, Ontario.  The Company will also issue 219,400 warrants to StephenAvenue.  Any share purchased through the exercise of the warrants has the mandatory four (4) month and one (1) day holding period from the date of closing of the placement and each warrant gives StephenAvenue the right to purchase one (1) common share at $0.10 for 36 months following the closing of the Placement. 

Mrs. Noëlle Drapeau, HPQ Corporate Secretary and a Director has subscribed for 100,000 Units.  Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mrs. Drapeau will beneficially own or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 1,778,416 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.77% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company.

The participation of Mrs. Drapeau in the Private Placement constitutes a “related party transaction” within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (“MI 61-101”) and Policy 5.9 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions of the Exchange. In connection with this related party transaction, the Company is relying on the formal valuation and minority approval exemptions of respectively subsection 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the portion of the Private Placement subscribed by Mrs. Drapeau does not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. The Board of directors of the Company has approved the Private Placement, including the participation of Mrs. Drapeau therein, with Mrs. Drapeau abstaining with respect to his participation.

About Silicon

Silicon (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is developing, with PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR), a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma base processes, the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the One Step transformation of Quartz (SiO2) into High Purity Silicon (Si) at prices that will propagate its considerable renewable energy potential.  The Gen3 PUREVAPTM QRR pilot plant that will validate the commercial potential of the process is scheduled to start during Q1 2020.

HPQ, working with PyroGenesis, is also developing a process that can take the High Purity Silicon (Si) made by the PUREVAPTM and manufacture Nano-Structure Silicon powders for Next Gen Li-ion batteries.  Starting in Q1 2020, the plan is to validate our game changing manufacturing approach using a modified Gen2 PUREVAPTM reactor to produce Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders samples for industry participants and research institutions’.

Concurrently, HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop a manufacturing capability that uses the High Purity Silicon (Si) made with the PUREVAP™ to make Porous silicon wafers needed for solid-state Li-ion batteries.  The first Silicon wafer should be ready to be ship for testing to a battery manufacture (under NDA) during Q1 2020.

Finally, with Apollon Solar, we are also looking into developing a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of Silicon (Si) material of 4N+ purity with low boron count (< 1 ppm).

All in all, HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon (Si), High Purity Silicon (Si), Nano-Structure Silicon powders for Next Gen Li-ion batteries, Porous Silicon Wafers for Solid states Li-ion batteries, Porous Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si).

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Disclaimers: The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of the Company’s Roncevaux Quartz Project, Matapedia Area, in the Gaspe Region, Province of Quebec.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
Email: [email protected]

Europe approves US$3.5bn for R&D in major push to create sustainable #battery manufacturing ecosystem SPONSOR: $HPQ.ca Silicon $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 10:21 AM on Monday, December 16th, 2019

SPONSOR: HPQ-Silicon Resources HPQ: TSX-V aiming to become the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer. Click here for more info.

Europe approves US$3.5bn for R&D in major push to create sustainable battery manufacturing ecosystem

  • European Commission gave the nod to a €3.2 billion (US$3.5 billion) plan by major EU states to create a “pan-European” battery ecosystem via a coordinated research push alongside industry operators
  • The so-called IPCEI – Important Project of Common European Interest, a status conferred to research schemes seen as key in the EU – will see Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden support their respective national battery industries with the Commission’s blessing

By: José Rojo Martín

The Commission’s MaroÅ¡ Å efčovič (right) hails the new IPCEI deal with Economy ministers of Germany (Peter Altmaier, left) and France (Bruno Le Maire, centre). Image credit: European Commission

European authorities have waved through a multi-billion-euro scheme to turn the continent into a global hub for green battery making, amid hints that barriers could be set for foreign imports.

This week, the European Commission gave the nod to a €3.2 billion (US$3.5 billion) plan by major EU states to create a “pan-European” battery ecosystem via a coordinated research push alongside industry operators.

The so-called IPCEI – Important Project of Common European Interest, a status conferred to research schemes seen as key in the EU – will see Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Sweden support their respective national battery industries with the Commission’s blessing.

The €3.2 billion will bankroll projects by 17 sector players across the seven countries, from BASF to Eneris, BMW, Enel X and Fortum. At a respective €1.25 billion (US$1.38 billion) and €960 million (US$1.06 billion), German and French battery schemes will reap a sizeable slice of the funding.

The multi-country project will be structured along the four core steps of the battery chain, from the more efficient sourcing of ores to the development of cells and modules, the roll-out of software- and algorithm-powered battery systems and sounder recycling and dismantling practices.

The €3.2 billion pot will focus on lithium-ion batteries, both liquid electrolytes and solid-state systems, and seek to unlock a further €5 billion in private money. If backed projects exceed their revenue expectations, they will return the extra gains to their respective member states.

The IPCEI – to be overseen by a body integrated by all seven states – stems from months of talks between the Economy ministers of Germany (Peter Altmaier), France (Bruno Le Maire) and others. On social media this week, the Commission’s Maroš Šefčovič thanked all for their “coordination”.

In separate statements to the media, also this week, Å efčovič’s hinted that EU authorities may not stop at fostering an EU battery landscape; they could also act to set up hurdles to battery imports from outside the EU bloc.

Šefčovič, the Commission’s VP for Interinstitutional Relations, was asked whether Southeast Asia-made batteries could face EU bans if they breach green standards the EU is developing:

“I think that if they would not respect the standards, then yes,” he said, in comments reported by Euractiv.

Europe bets on batteries after PV defeat at the hands of Asia

The European Commission now rallying behind the IPCEI may have begun its term only this month but its battery manufacturing ambitions go back a longer way. Šefčovič, who was also part of the earlier cabinet, launched the European Battery Alliance in 2017 and continues to head the group.

Whether the new €3.2 billion research push and the broader Alliance that underpins it can make Europe a serious global contender remains to be seen. The continent has already waged, and largely lost, a similar pulse over solar manufacturing in the past decade.

Policymakers first acted to set up minimum import prices to shield EU module makers against cheaper Chinese rivals, but changed tack when the tariffs raised PV prices but were not the job creator they were hoped to be. Last year’s phase-out further crippled an already weak EU sector.

Attempts since to revive EU solar makers, including a vow by French president Emmanuel Macron to bring back the “champions”, have been greeted with scepticism. Approached for a recent PV Tech Power feature, BNEF analyst Jenny Chase said PV making in Europe “doesn’t make sense” anymore.

However, Chase and several other interviewees did feel battery making could prove a better wager for Europe. “Batteries are a bit more nascent and interesting. The complexity, the role of software, may create more potential to keep highly paid jobs in Europe,” she remarked.

The view emerged as various battery factory schemes made strides in Europe this year. Northvolt’s plans to create a 56GWh fleet of lithium cell factories in Europe have been followed by Tesla’s ambitions for a gigafactory near Berlin that would make “batteries, powertrains and vehicles”.

As the Commission itself insisted this week, Europe’s pitch for battery know-how comes with a specific focus on reduced environmental footprint. Its statement explicitly linked the efforts to nurture a battery sector to the EU’s broader transition towards climate neutrality.

The energy storage focus of the EU’s climate-minded policymakers has been apparent with earlier decisions this year. Last month, the European Investment Bank voted to shift its multi-billion-euro energy lending capabilities to prioritise storage batteries, grid upgrades and others.

Source: https://www.energy-storage.news/news/europe-wages-multi-billion-crusade-to-nurture-battery-ecosystem?utm_source=rss-feeds&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=general

B.C. seaplane company makes history with test flight of first commercial #e-plane SPONSOR: $HPQ.ca Silicon $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:38 AM on Wednesday, December 11th, 2019

SPONSOR: HPQ-Silicon Resources HPQ: TSX-V aiming to become the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer. Click here for more info.

B.C. seaplane company makes history with test flight of first commercial e-plane

  • Team expects innovation in the battery industry to continue in the same way for aviation as it has for electric cars
  • key will be developing batteries that are more compact at the same time that they are more powerful.
  • Test flight used lithium-ion batteries because they are the most “tried and true,”

After landing, Harbour Air CEO and pilot Greg McDougall said it felt just like flying any other plane, only with more kick.

Amy Smart, The Canadian Press December 10, 2019

As Greg McDougall prepared to fly the world’s first all-electric commercial aircraft Tuesday morning, he said “nervous” wasn’t quite the word to describe how he was feeling.

The fact that the Harbour Air CEO would be the first person to take the modified de Havilland Beaver on a full test flight didn’t faze him, nor did knowledge of a charging glitch the night before.

McDougall had gone for a dinner break Monday evening while a crew of designers and engineers stared at their computers with furrowed brows, and he returned later to find them smiling and laughing, crisis averted.

“The emotion isn’t necessarily excitement, it’s more sort of anticipation and focus,” he said.

Harbour Air pilot and CEO Greg McDougall talks to media after completing the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission commercial aircraft test flight in a 62 year old de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal on the Fraser River in Richmond on Tuesday. DON MACKINNON / AFP via Getty Images

With the sun hanging low over the Fraser River in Richmond, McDougall shifted the throttle into gear and took off. After landing, he said it felt just like flying any other plane, only with more kick.

“For me, that flight was just like flying a Beaver but it was a Beaver on electric steroids,” he said, adding he had to throttle back in order to delay the takeoff to be in line with about a dozen cameras.

“It wanted to fly. With the tailwind it was going to leap off the water.”

The brief but successful test flight marked a significant win for Harbour Air and partner magniX, which designed the electric motor, in the race to electrify commercial aviation fleets.

Harbour Air pilot and CEO Greg McDougall flies the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission commercial aircraft during a test flight in a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal on the Fraser River in Richmond on Tuesday. DON MACKINNON / AFP via Getty Images

Dozens of companies are working on electric planes, including Boeing and Airbus. Israeli company Eviation unveiled a nine-seat, all-electric plane named “Alice” at the Paris Air Show in June, which also happens to be a magniX project.

Roei Ganzarski, CEO of Seattle-based engineering firm magniX, described the test flight as the beginning of a revolution in aviation.

In 1903, the Wright brothers made history with the first successful flight and, in 1939, the Heinkel jet launched the jet age, he said.

“Since 1939, we’ve pretty much stayed stable. Today that team made history,” Ganzarski said, gesturing toward the design team.

Harbour Air announced in March that it had partnered with magniX with the goal of becoming the world’s first all-electric airline.

The 62-year-old Beaver was outfitted with a 750-horsepower electric motor, which gives it capacity to fly about 160 kilometres before needing a recharge.

Harbour Air pilot and CEO Greg McDougall flies the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission commercial aircraft during a test flight in a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal on the Fraser River in Richmond on Tuesday. DON MACKINNON / AFP via Getty Images

Weight, altitude and storage remain the biggest barriers to flying electric. A mid-sized passenger plane weighs 100 times as much as a mid-sized car and the battery technology hasn’t quite adjusted to the aviation market.

Fuel also remains about 40 to 50 times more power dense than batteries, Ganzarski said. But the team expects innovation in the battery industry to continue in the same way for aviation as it has for electric cars. The key will be developing batteries that are more compact at the same time that they are more powerful.

The test flight used lithium-ion batteries because they are the most “tried and true,” but there are already others on the market that are more powerful, McDougall said.

“The evolution of lithium batteries is constant and there are literally billions of dollars being poured into that technology as we speak,” he said.

In the meantime, Ganzarski said the market is there for electric planes to take off around the world.

Harbour Air Pilot and CEO Greg McDougall taxis to the water to fly the world’s first all-electric, zero-emission commercial aircraft during a test flight in a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver from Vancouver International Airports South Terminal on the Fraser River in Richmond on Tuesday. DON MACKINNON / AFP via Getty Images

Forty-five per cent of flights worldwide cover distances of 800 kilometres or less, and five per cent cover distances under 160 kilometres, he said.

Exactly when the electric aircraft will be approved for commercial flight is unclear as Transport Canada will be entering new territory.

But McDougall said the goal is to get passengers on Harbour Air electric flights within two years.

The operating costs are between 50 and 80 per cent lower than combustion engines and ultimately, that will mean lower ticket prices for passengers, he said.

Harbour Air covers 12 routes and operates about 30,000 flights a year between Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle and other locations.

Source: https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/harbour-air-company-tests-first-commercial-electronic-aircraft-in-richmond

INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca On The Verge Of Supplying #Silicon To Lithium-Ion #Battery Market In 2020 $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:44 AM on Tuesday, December 10th, 2019

There is no shortage of small cap companies claiming they want to supply materials to the Lithium-Ion battery market …. but none of them have: 

  • The Silicon “Holy Grail”;
  • A fully functioning Pilot Plant coming online in Q1 2020;
  • Are in NDA discussions with a battery manufacturer;
  • Have not one but TWO world class technology partners
  • Have not one but THREE products to address different battery needs

HPQ Silicon (HPQ:TSXV) has all of these going in its favour and wasn’t afraid to say so in its latest press release.  In fact, HPQ’s CEO stated the following outright:  

“We now have even greater confidence in our joint ability to deliver the critical Silicon material required by the surging Li-ion battery market in 2020 and beyond.”  

With the Company’s Pilot Plant already financed thanks to significant investments from both the Quebec government and technology partner, PyroGenesis, HPQ’s path in 2020 is set and so far ahead of everyone else that it warrants taking them very seriously.  

Watch this interview!

$HPQ.ca Outlines Key Milestones Driving the Company Towards Supplying #Silicon, Silicon Powders and Silicon Wafers for Lithium-Ion Battery Market in 2020 $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:25 AM on Monday, December 9th, 2019
  • Updates shareholders on the Corporation’s plans for 2020;
  • Gen 3 PUREVAP™ QRR Pilot Plant operational Q1 2020
  • Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders manufacturing for Li-ion batteries
  • Porous Silicon wafers for solid state Li-ion Batteries
  • High Purity Silicon Oxide (SiOx) Nanopowders for Li-ion Batteries
  • Solar Grade Silicon using a PUREVAPTM UMG metallurgical process
  • Standard purity Silicon (“Si”) (up to 2N Purity)

MONTREAL, Dec. 09, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.(“HPQ” - “The Company”) TSX-V: HPQ; FWB: UGE; Other OTC: URAGF; (“HPQ”) is pleased to update shareholders on the Corporation’s plans for 2020.

KEY 2020 PUREVAP™ DEVELOPMENTS THAT WILL DRIVE HPQ FORWARD

1.  Gen 3 PUREVAP™ QRR Pilot Plant operational Q1 2020

PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) (“PyroGenesis”) informed HPQ that the Pilot Plant commissioning and testing program will start in full force Q1 2020. 

“As previously discussed, a good part of the past year saw us divert assets from paying projects to non-paying projects.  This enabled PyroGenesis to secure the large breakout contract it recently announced as well as the upcoming Navy project, which was also recently announced.  As a result, our signed backlog increased from $6MM in Q2 2019 to almost $30MM at the end of Q3 2019.  The successful closing of the Navy project will further increase this backlog by an additional $13MM.  This increase in backlog de risks the company significantly, all to the benefit of our clients, like HPQ, and their shareholders,” said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis Canada Inc.  â€œWe are now in position to re-focus, and accelerate, the PUREVAP initiative focus on the multitude of opportunities that have come to light since defining our original mandate.  As a result, we are confident that HPQ is going to make some significant headway over the coming months, the least of which will be to start the Gen3 PUREVAPTM Plant commissioning and testing program.

“HPQ congratulates our partner P. Peter Pascali and his PyroGenesis team on their $20 million contract award, which once again proves their ability to commercialize high tech applications on a global scale,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon. “With the PUREVAPTM Pilot Plant becoming operational in Q1 2020, we now have even greater confidence in our joint ability to deliver the critical Silicon material required by the surging Li-ion battery market in 2020 and beyond.”

The PUREVAP™ QRR technology is a unique carbothermic process that will allow HPQ to have a significant impact, short and long term, on the following Silicon (Si) markets and industries:

2.  Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders manufacturing for Li-ion batteries

HPQ and PyroGenesis recently announced plans regarding the creation of a Joint Venture to produce Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders for Li-ion batteries.  In Q1 2020, the plan is to have a modified Gen2 PUREVAPTM reactor operational, in parallel with the Pilot Plant, validating that our approach works and producing Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders samples for industry participants and research institutions.

Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance but high-performance Silicon (Si) anodes made using powders selling for US$ 30,000/kg1 are not commercially feasible.  Combining HPQ PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (“QRR”) technology with PyroGenesis Plasma Atomization knowhow to produce Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders represents a unique multibillion-dollar business opportunity that could subsequently lead to their wide scale adoption in the battery market.  If this occurs, HPQ and PyroGenesis would then be well positioned to assume a dominant market position.

Silicon’s potential to meet energy storage demand is undeniable and generating massive investments, as well as, serious industry interest, so HPQ and PyroGenesis timing could not be better.  A recent report by Wood Mackenzie Power projects that energy storage deployments are estimated to grow 1,300% from a 12 Gigawatt-hour market in 2018 to a 158 Gigawatt-hour market in 2024.  An estimated US$71 billion in investments will be made into storage systems where batteries will make up the lion’s share of capital deployment.

3.  Porous Silicon wafers for solid state Li-ion Batteries

During Q3 2019, HPQ started discussions with a battery manufacturer regarding using Silicon produced by our Gen3 PUREVAPTM QRR pilot plant to manufacture porous silicon wafers needed for their operations.  Furthermore, HPQ negotiated with Apollon Solar an amended agreement that broadens the scope of the 2017 collaboration to include, going forward, evaluating manufacturing porous Silicon wafers for solid-state Li-Ion batteries combining their patented process with Silicon (Si) produced with HPQ PUREVAPTM QRR.

In November 2019, HPQ and its partner Apollon Solar SAS, acting as one party, signed a non-disclosure agreement (“NDA”) with the battery manufacturer for the purposes of exchanging technical information and sending testing materials.  We are still at the beginning of the process of exchanging technical information and yet we are already looking into the possibility of supplying the battery manufacturer with the first Silicon wafer for testing by year end or beginning of 2020.

The probabilities that the discussions started under NDA will evolve during Q1 2020 to a more formal process are very encouraging.

4.  High Purity Silicon Oxide (SiOx) Nanopowders for Li-ion Batteries

In addition to its wafer work, HPQ intends to study, during H1 2020, the possibility of utilizing Apollon Solar patented process to optimize the porous structure of HPQ PUREVAPTM Silicon between Microporous (pore size <5nm), Mesoporous (pore size 5nm – 50nm) and Macroporous (pore size >50nm) in order to evaluate the potential of producing, low cost, High Purity SiOx Nanopowders.

The infancy of Si anode technology base on Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders explains why presently only limited performance improvement are obtained using High Purity Silicon Oxide (SiOx) Nanopowders, selling for about US$ 100/kg2, used in a blended form with graphite in traditional Li-ion batteries.  The quantity used is typically less than 5 wt% of the material used to make the batteries, yet even at these levels of utilization, this is estimated to represent an addressable market of US $ 1B by 20223 expanding at a CAGR of 38.9% between 2019 – 2024.

5.  Standard purity Silicon (“Si”) (up to 2N Purity)

Up to now, market participants with significant quartz assets have shown a keen interest in our process. As such, HPQ anticipates silicon industry participants will show a keen interest in PUREVAPTM once the Pilot Plant is operational and validates our unique operational advantages.

The addressable market for Mg Si is in the multi-billion range with demand projected to increase by a CAGR of 19% over the next 5 years (US$ 7.5B in 2018 to US$ 12B in 2023)4.  The bulk of the growth is expected to come from the 2N segment of the market, where the PUREVAP™ QRR process should have massive opex and capex advantage over traditional manufacturers.

6.  Solar Grade Silicon using a PUREVAPTM UMG metallurgical process

The market for Solar Grade Silicon is massive and evolving at such an accelerated pace that some of our original product development hypothesis are not as relevant as before.  Having said this, working with Apollon Solar, we strongly believe that if the PUREVAP™ QRR can produce, as we believe it can, Si material of 4N+ purity with low boron count (< 1 ppm), we can develop a very competitive UMG Metallurgical route to produce Solar Grade Silicon.

OTHER CORPORATE NEWS

1.  ANNUAL MINIMUM ROYALTIES PAYMENT DUES TO PYROGENESIS

Under the terms of our Agreement with PyroGenesis, HPQ was obliged to pay minimum royalty payment obligations of $150,000 for 2018 and $200,000 for 2019.  Due to delays in the project beyond HPQ’s control, PyroGenesis has agreed to wave HPQ minimum royalty payment obligations for 2018 and 2019.  This represents a Q4 2019 reduction in HPQ current liabilities of $350,000.  Minimum royalties’ obligations will resume with the scheduled 2020 payment to PyroGenesis.

2.  WARRANTS EXTENSION

HPQ Board of Directors has authorized the application to the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”) for approval of the extension, until January 31, 2022, of the exercise date of 4,152,000 outstanding common share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”) issued by the Company July 17, 2018.  The 4,152,000 Warrants are set to expire on January 17, 2020 and have an exercise price of $0.155.   As of today, none of these purchase warrants has been exercised.  All other terms and conditions of the Warrants will remain the same. The proposed extension is conditional upon the receipt of the approval of the Exchange.

3.  DEBT FOR SHARES

In accordance with the agreement between HPQ-Silicon and Agoracom, entered into on July 15, 2018 for the term ending July 15, 2020, HPQ-Silicon board has approved the issuance of 156,944 common shares at a deemed price of 9 cents per share to pay $14,125 for services rendered during the period from January 16, 2019 ending April 15, 2019, HPQ board has also approved the issuance of 156,944 common shares at a deemed price of 9 cents per share to pay $14,125 for services rendered during the period from April 16, 2019 ending July 15, 2019, and HPQ board has also approved the issuance of 166,176 common shares at a deemed price of 8.5 cents per share to pay $14,125 for services rendered during the period from July 16, 2019 ending October 15, 2019.  Each share issued pursuant to the debt settlement will have a mandatory four (4) month and one (1) day holding period from the date of closing.

About Silicon

Silicon (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed company developing, in collaboration with industry leader PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into Metallurgical Grade Silicon (Mg-Si) at prices that will propagate its significant renewable energy potential.

HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop: Porous silicon wafers manufacturing using PUREVAP™ Silicon (PVAP Si) that can be used as anode for all-solid-state and Li-ion batteries; and a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of high purity silicon (Si) and significantly reduce the Capex and Opex associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG-Si.

HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon (Si), High Purity Silicon (Si), Porous Silicon Wafers and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si). The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start in 2019.

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Disclaimers:

The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of the Company’s Roncevaux Quartz Project, Matapedia Area, in the Gaspe Region, Province of Quebec.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
http://www.hpqsilicon.com Email: [email protected] 

1 Source: Quotation from a producer (Confidential), Media article

2 Advanced Battery Materials, Chapter 5: Practically Relevant Research on Silicon-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes (page 271)

3 Source Marketandmakerts.com

4 CRU – Silicon Market Outlook – November 14, 2018 (Pages 20 – 23)

INTERVIEW: $HPQ.ca #Silicon and PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Actively Evaluating JV to Manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion Batteries $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:01 PM on Monday, November 25th, 2019

While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance, high performance Silicon anodes are not presently commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs.  Specifically, two major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial feasibility;

1.      The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed

2.      The cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries

HPQ Silicon and Pyrogenesis might have the solution…

Combining the HPQ PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor technology with PyroGenesis Plasma Atomization knowhow to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon powders, could potentially resolve these 2 issues and lead the way to full commercialization of Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders.  If successful, that should subsequently lead to their wide scale adoption in the battery space.  

If this occurs it would go without saying, HPQ and PyroGenesis would be well positioned to assume a market leading role.

Grab your favourite beverage and watch this interview with HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon.

HPQ Silicon $HPQ.ca and Pyrogenesis $PYR.ca Actively Evaluating Joint Venture to Manufacture #Nanoscale Structure #Silicon Powders for Next Generation #Li-ion Batteries $FSLR $SPWR $CSIQ $PYR.ca $XMG.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:18 AM on Monday, November 25th, 2019
  • Actively evaluating a joint venture to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders for next generation Li-ion Si batteries.
  • While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance, high performance Silicon (Si) anodes are not presently commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs. 
  • Specifically, two major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial feasibility
  • The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed, and the cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries.

MONTREAL, Nov. 25, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.(“HPQ” - “The Company”)TSX-V: HPQ; FWB: UGE; Other OTC : URAGF; (“HPQ”) announces that HPQ and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) (“PyroGenesis”) are actively evaluating a joint venture to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders for next generation Li-ion Si batteries.

NANOSCALE STRUCTURE SILICON POWDERS SELLING FOR US$ 30,000/Kg1

While Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders improve Li-ion battery performance, high performance Silicon (Si) anodes are not presently commercially feasible due to high manufacturing costs.  Specifically, two (2) major issues have been identified as major impediments to commercial feasibility.  The cost of the high purity Silicon feed material needed, and the cost of transforming Silicon into Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders for Li-ion batteries.

Combining the HPQ PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (“QRR”) technology with PyroGenesis Plasma Atomization knowhow to manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders, could potentially resolve these 2 issues and lead the way to full commercialization of Nanoscale Structure Silicon Powders.  If successful, that should subsequently lead to their wide scale adoption in the battery space.  If this occurs, HPQ and PyroGenesis would then be well positioned to assume a market leadership position.

THE RACE IS ON TO BUILD A BETTER BATTERY: NANOSCALE STRUCTURE SILICON POWDERS NEEDED

Presently, Silicon powders is used in a blended form with graphite but its content is typically less than 5 wt%, which reflects the infancy of Si anode technology and explains the limited performance improvement achieved to date.  Even at these levels, however, this is estimated to represent an addressable market of US $ 1B by 20222 expanding at a CAGR of 38.9% between 2019 – 2024.

The addressable market growth could be exponentially higher than projected as research suggests that replacing graphite materials with Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) powders in next generation Li-ion Batteries promises an almost tenfold (10x) increase in the specific capacity of the anode, inducing a 20-40% gain in the energy density of Li-ion batteries.

“PyroGenesis, the inventor of Plasma Atomization, has more than 20 years of experience manufacturing plasma atomized metal powders, so if anybody has the knowhow to use silicon materials produced from HPQ PUREVAP™QRR and manufacture Nanoscale Structure Silicon (Si) that can be used as high-capacity anode materials for next generations Li-ion batteries, it is them,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO HPQ Silicon. “Silicon’s potential to meet energy storage demand is undeniable and generating massive investments, as well as, serious industry interest, so our timing could not be better.”

“We are taken by the potential of this joint venture as it checks all of the boxes we consider before evaluating a new business line:  It relates to our current activities, the market although niche is potentially massive, our expertise would be game changing, and the risk is low,” said Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis Canada Inc. “We are equally excited about the market drivers for this product.  The potential from the battery and energy storage markets alone is estimated, on first review, to be in the multi-billions of dollars.  I look forward to evaluating this opportunity more closely.”

RENEWABLE AND EV DEMAND INDICATE GLOBAL ENERGY STORAGE MARKET READY TO EXPLODE

At current growth rates of 2% per year, global energy consumption will be an estimated 125,000 Terawatt-hours 2020, which is 800,000 times more than the estimated storage capacity.A recent report by Wood Mackenzie Power projects that energy storage deployments are estimated to grow 1,300% from a 12 Gigawatt-hour market in 2018 to a 158 Gigawatt-hour market in 2024.  An estimated US$71 billion in investments will be made into storage systems where batteries will make up the lion’s share of capital deployment.

As reported by CNBC, private Venture Capital backed firms are also exploring the use of silicon in batteries and are positioning to provide the auto industry with the solutions needed to substantially improve vehicle performance.

About Silicon

Silicon (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed company developing, in collaboration with industry leader PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into Metallurgical Grade Silicon (Mg-Si) at prices that will propagate its significant renewable energy potential.

HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop: Porous silicon wafers manufacturing using PUREVAP™ Silicon (PVAP Si) that can be used as anode for all-solid-state and Li-ion batteries; and a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of high purity silicon (Si) and significantly reduce the Capex and Opex associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG-Si.

HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon (Si), High Purity Silicon (Si), Porous Silicon Wafers and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si). The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start in 2019.

This News Release is available on the company’s CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A between Management and Shareholders. 

Disclaimers:

The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of the Company’s Roncevaux Quartz Project, Matapedia Area, in the Gaspe Region, Province of Quebec.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s on-going filings with the security’s regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
http://www.hpqsilicon.com Email: [email protected]

____________________
1 Source: Quotation from a producer (Confidential), Media article
2 Source Marketandmakerts.com