PyroGenesis wins C$700,000 SDTC grant to develop a pilot system for transforming quartz into fumed silica using plasma

PyroGenesis Canada Inc (TSE:PYR) (NASDAQ:PYR) (FRA:8PY) said it has received a C$700,000 grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for a novel production project to transform quartz into fumed silica using a plasma reactor.  The project is in partnership with HPQ Silicon Resources (HPQ), a provider of low carbon emission silicon-based solutions, and the proposed start for SDTC funding is in June, subject to execution of the project funding agreement. PyroGenesis and HPQ will collaborate on the design, fabrication and operation of a novel pilot system to demonstrate the production of fumed silica, an inert and non-hazardous substance, using a plasma reactor, the company said. Fumed silica is used as a thickening agent in a wide range of applications, such as paints, cosmetics, coatings, inks and resins.  READ: PyroGenesis Canada ships its first commercial plasma-atomized titanium powder samples to a client The companies will build and test a pilot system to investigate if continuous production of fumed silica by plasma is feasible, produce bulk samples for property evaluation and use pilot data as the basis for a techno-economic feasibility study, where this new technology will be compared to the existing commercial process.  “Fumed silica has unique physical properties which make it a useful and versatile commodity, including high surface area and low bulk density,” PyroGenesis CTO Pierre Carabin said in a statement. “The established process for making this product is flame hydrolysis, a lengthy, expensive, and wasteful multistep process requiring transportation of the materials between multiple locations. With this project, PyroGenesis and HPQ will propose an alternative solution which would eliminate the toxic by-products of the conventional process and reduce GHG emissions by about 90%. If successful, it will be a game-changer for the industry.”   SDTC, which is providing the grant, helps Canadian companies develop and deploy clean technology solutions to help solve the environmental challenges of climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil. “We wish to thank SDTC for their continued support of Canadian entrepreneurs in general, and our project specifically,” Carabin added. “One cannot overstate the impact SDTC support has towards the commercialization of our novel production process to transform quartz into fumed silica using a plasma reactor. Their credibility alone speaks volumes as they are a very discerning valued partner. We are also working with HPQ Silicon Resources on this project, and we look forward to ultimately delivering, as the PyroGenesis/SDTC/HPQ team. the environmental solution to an issue that has been plaguing the industry for years.” The agency, funded by the Government of Canada, has invested nearly C$1.3 billion in 450 companies since its inception. “Sustainable Development Technology Canada is incredibly proud to support PyroGenesis’ innovative plasma technology which helps reduce harmful toxins from entering our environment. By investing in companies, like PyroGenesis we can bring lasting economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians and the world” said Leah Lawrence, president and CEO of Sustainable Development Technology Canada. Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel