MONTREAL, March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process technologies, announces that the TSX Venture Exchange issued a bulletin on February 24, 2026, confirming its acceptance of the transaction previously announced on February 3, 2026, between the Company and three arm’s-length parties.

Following the Exchange’s approval and in accordance with the terms of the agreement, HPQ has completed the increase in its ownership stake in Novacium SAS, an innovative France-based technology company, raising its interest from 28.4% to 36.8%.

“This increased ownership strengthens our strategic exposure to Novacium’s operations and its technological and commercial growth potential in both the near and medium term,” said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc.

Strategic and Operational Alignment Between HPQ and Novacium

HPQ also informs shareholders that governance adjustments aimed at simplifying Novacium’s governance structure have been approved by Novacium’s shareholders. These changes are intended to better align the strategic interests of HPQ and Novacium as both companies advance the development and commercialization of their technologies in the near and medium term.

Novacium’s activities are focused on energy-related technologies, including:

• High-performance silicon-based battery anodes

• Hydrogen generation technologies.

Because these sectors are considered strategic industries in France, the presence of the Category P priority share—originally created at the start of the collaboration to provide HPQ with a right of veto on certain actions within Novacium—could potentially complicate Novacium’s eligibility for certain financing programs reserved for companies under French control, particularly in strategic sectors such as energy and defense.

To better align with the companies’ shared interests and facilitate Novacium’s access to targeted funding programs, Novacium’s articles of association have been amended to adopt a simple-majority decision-making framework.

As part of this restructuring, HPQ elected to convert its Category P priority share into common shares.

This decision simplifies Novacium’s governance structure and is expected to facilitate and accelerate Novacium’s access to European financing programs reserved for companies under French control, particularly in the strategic energy and defense sectors. To this end, the Company has initiated a deconsolidation process.

As a result, HPQ’s position in Novacium evolves from that of an associate company to a strategic investment, while maintaining close strategic alignment between the two companies in the development and commercialization of their technologies.

Improved Access to European Innovation and Industrial Programs

This new governance framework should also enable Novacium to significantly expand its access to public programs supporting innovation and industrial development, as well as collaborative projects in the strategic energy and advanced technology sectors across France and Europe.

“This evolution in governance reflects the growing maturity of Novacium’s activities and is intended to support more efficient industrial and commercial deployment of its technologies in international markets,” said Mr. Tourillon.

Strengthened Licensing Agreement Between HPQ and Novacium

HPQ and Novacium have also entered into an enhanced license agreement, further strengthening their strategic collaboration.

This agreement reinforces HPQ’s commitment to supporting Novacium’s technology development and commercialization efforts, particularly with a view to deploying these technologies in North America.

Under the terms of the agreement:

• Novacium secures part of its financing framework.
• HPQ receives perpetual, royalty-free usage rights to certain technologies upon full execution of the agreement.

This structure significantly strengthens HPQ’s strategic exposure to the value created through the commercialization of Novacium’s technologies.

“These strategic adjustments are extremely positive,” said Jed Kraiem, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Novacium. “They unlock Novacium’s growth potential while significantly strengthening value creation for HPQ and its shareholders. We believe this synergy positions both companies to play an important role in the development of key technologies supporting the global energy transition.”

About NOVACIUM SAS

Novacium is an innovative technology startup founded in 2022 in France. It is an engineering and R&D company dedicated to energy-related materials, with specialization in silicon and hydrogen. Novacium is developing two technologies: a new silicon-based anode material that significantly increases Li-ion battery capacity, and a standalone hydrogen-generation system for civilian and military applications using a proprietary silicon–aluminum alloy fuel.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. is a Quebec-based TSX Venture Exchange industrial issuer (TSX-V: HPQ) focused on innovation in advanced materials and critical process development. In partnership with its research and development partner Novacium—of which HPQ is a shareholder—the Company is advancing next-generation silicon-based anode materials (Gen3) for batteries, commercializing its ENDURA+ lithium-ion cells, and developing breakthrough clean-hydrogen and waste-to-energy technologies, for which HPQ holds exclusive North American rights.

HPQ is also pursuing proprietary technologies to become a low-cost, zero-CO₂ producer of fumed silica with technical support from PyroGenesis Inc. Together, these initiatives position HPQ to capture growth opportunities in the energy storage, clean hydrogen, and advanced materials markets essential to achieving global net-zero goals.

For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon web site.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements rely on assumptions about technology performance, market demand, permits, financing, supply chains, and economic conditions but remain subject to significant risks, including delays, regulatory challenges, competition, pricing, financing availability, and macroeconomic uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ materially from expectations. Detailed risk factors are outlined in HPQ’s Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+. Forward-looking information is provided solely to outline management’s future expectations and objectives.

A more detailed cautionary note regarding forward-looking information related to the HPQ Fumed Silica Reactor project is available for download [here], the HPQ Endura+ batteries project is available for download [here], and METAGENE™ technology is available for download [here]. 

Further information regarding the Company is available in the SEDAR+ database (www.sedarplus.ca), and on the Company’s website at: http://www.hpqsilicon.com/

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.

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. 

Source: HPQ Silicon Inc.

For further information contact:

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO
Tel +1 (514) 846-3271 / Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com