MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - March 28, 2017) - PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX VENTURE:PYR)(OTCQB:PYRNF), a high-tech company (the "Company" or "PyroGenesis") that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, announces today that it has received the 4^th progress payment under a previously announced $8.3MM contract with HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. ("HPQ") to provide a 200 metric tonne (MT) per year PUREVAP™ pilot system (the "System") to produce silicon metal directly from quartz (the "Contract"). To date, PyroGenesis has received payments in excess of CAN$3.9MM, or equivalent to more than 47% of the value of the Contract. 

As previously announced on August 2, 2016, the Contract is for the design, fabrication, assembly, commissioning and testing of the System. We are currently in the design, fabrication and assembly phase, of which there remains approximately $1.5MM to be paid subject to certain milestones; $520,000 in payments are due during the commissioning phase; with an additional $2.3MM to be paid following various milestones during the testing phase.

To date, PyroGenesis has demonstrated that the System can:

• Transform low purity quartz (97.5%) to high purity silicon; thereby defying standard methods¹;
• Successfully produce 4N (99.99%) silicon from low purity quartz²;
• Remove aluminum, boron, calcium and phosphorous with consistently high efficiencies, between 67 and 97%. Of particular note, boron, which negatively impacts the electrical properties of photovoltaic solar systems, is one of the most difficult impurities to remove from silicon³.
• Quantity produced per batch during testing phase increased from less than 0.1g to 8.8g, nearly a hundredfold increase⁴; and
• Reached a production of 4N+ purity Silicon Metal (99.99+% Si) using 98.14% SiO₂ by adding a solid purifying into the feedstock⁵.

Management continues to believe that the PUREVAP™ will have a significant impact on the solar industry. We note that there seems to be significant commercial applications for the System, at lower purity levels, as well (i.e. above 99.9%).

"At this stage, the design of the pilot system has progressed well and we have already delivered the Process Engineering Drawings and Mechanical Layout Drawings to the client," said Pierre Carabin, Chief Technology Officer of PyroGenesis. "The next step will be to delivery the complete Equipment Specifications Package, which is already well underway. We are extremely pleased with the progress of the project so far and are looking forward to achieving our stated goals."

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc. is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes. PyroGenesis provides engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, additive manufacturing (3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m² manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Its core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Its operations are ISO 9001:2008 certified, and have been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian company on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace (Ticker Symbol: PYRNF). For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

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 ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.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, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the OTC Markets Group Inc. accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.