schreef:
HPQ Silicon and PyroGenesis Sign an Agreement to Develop a New Environmentally Friendly Process to Manufacture Fumed SilicaTHE NEW PROCESS: A LEAP FORWARD IN THE GREEN MANUFACTURING OF FUMED SILICA
As Figure 1 illustrates the new process, invented by PyroGenesis Canada Inc, represents a paradigm shift in the manufacturing of Fumed silica (Pyrogenic Silica). The new plasma-based process allows a direct Quartz to Fumed silica transformation, removing the usage of hazardous chemical in the making of Fumed silica and eliminating the Hydrogen Chloride Gas (HCI) associated with its manufacturing. Furthermore, the process requires 15,000 kWh to produce a MT of Fumed Silica, this represents a staggering 86% reduction in the energy footprint associated with manufacturing Fumed Silica. Finally, since the new process uses Quartz as feedstock, its capital requirements will only be a small fraction of what is required to build a traditional Fumed Silica plant.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK ASSOCIATED WITH TRADITIONAL PROCESS TO MAKE FUMED SILICA
As Figure 2 demonstrates, conventional processes to manufacture fumed silica is a complex multi-step process that requires significant energy consumption (110,000 kWh to produce one Metric Tonne (MT) of Fumed Silica), involves many hazardous products and generates extreme by-products in the form of Hydrogen Chloride Gas (HCI), a highly regulated gas with stringent environmental constraints associated with its use. Traditional processes to make fumed silica are highly capital intensive, as the Silicon Tetrachloride feedstock necessary to the fumed silica manufacturing process can only be made by a Polysilicon plant, requiring > US$ 1.2 billion investment for 10,000 Metric Tonne per Year (MTA) capacity1 to which you must add the > US$ 150 million cost to build a production line capable of producing 13,000 MTA2 of fumed silica.
THE MARKET: FUMED SILICA ADDRESSABLE MARKET TO REACH US$ 2.2 BILLION BY 20223
Fumed silica (Pyrogenic Silica) is a white microscopic powder with high surface area and low bulk density. Its commercial applications encompass various industries including personal care, pharmaceuticals, agriculture (food & feed), adhesives, sealants, construction, batteries and automotive to name a few. Demand for Fumed Silica is growing at 6% CAGR, with a global addressable market of US$ 1.5 billion in 2016 expected to grow to US$ 2.2 billion in 2022, but present manufacturing processes are hindering its growth potential.