Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

HPQ ENDURA+ Gen4 21700 lithium-ion cells have successfully achieved UL 1642 safety certification from an accredited independent testing laboratory.UL 1642 certification validates compliance with one of the industry's most widely recognized U.S. safety standards for commercial lithium-ion cells.Gen4 platform certified at 6,500 mAh, representing an 8.3% increase in capacity over HPQ's previously certified Gen3 platform.Certification supports customer qualification programs, battery pack integration, commercial evaluations, and industrial partnership discussions. MONTREAL, July 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in advanced materials innovation and the development of next-generation processes, is pleased to announce that its HPQ ENDURA+ Gen4 21700 lithium-ion cell platform has successfully achieved UL 1642 safety certification, marking another important commercialization milestone for the Company's silicon-anode battery technology.

The certification, awarded by an accredited independent laboratories, confirm that HPQ's latest-generation cell platform complies with internationally recognized UL 1642, one of the industry's most widely recognized safety standards applicable to commercial lithium-ion cells. UL 1642 certification supports customer qualification, battery pack integration, and commercial evaluation activities by prospective industrial partners.

Cylindrical GEN4 HPQ Endura+ Cells

The achievement builds on HPQ's previously certified Gen3 cell platform and demonstrates the Company's ability to successfully certify successive generations of its battery technology while continuing to improve performance. Compared with the certified Gen3 21700 cell, which delivers 6,000 mAh, the Gen4 cell platform is certified at 6,500 mAh, representing an 8.3% increase in capacity, while successfully meeting the requirements of UL 1642 safety certification. This progression highlights HPQ's ability to advance battery performance without compromising the safety and reliability required for commercial deployment.

As global demand accelerates for higher-energy lithium-ion batteries across mobility, energy storage, telecommunications, defense, robotics, and industrial applications, manufacturers are increasingly seeking battery technologies that combine improved performance with compatibility across existing manufacturing infrastructure. Independent certification provides customers, integrators, and OEMs with additional confidence as they evaluate next-generation cell platforms for commercial applications.

"Independent certification is one of the most important steps in transforming an advanced battery technology into a commercially viable product," said Bernard Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. "Successfully certifying our next-generation HPQ ENDURA+ platform demonstrates that we can continue increasing battery performance while meeting one of the industry’s most widely recognized safety standards for commercial lithium-ion cells. This milestone further strengthens our commercialization strategy by providing customers and industrial partners with greater confidence as they evaluate our technology for future applications."

The successful certification of successive HPQ ENDURA+ cell generations also reflects the continued advancement of the Company's collaboration with Novacium, whose silicon-based anode technology is designed to increase energy density while remaining compatible with conventional lithium-ion cell manufacturing processes. This compatibility represents an important commercial advantage by supporting adoption without requiring manufacturers to redesign existing production infrastructure.

With certification complete, HPQ will continue supporting customer evaluation programs, qualification activities, battery pack integration, and commercial discussions with prospective industrial partners across targeted high-value markets. These efforts represent the next phase in the Company's strategy to commercialize the HPQ ENDURA+ platform and expand opportunities for its next-generation silicon-anode battery technology.

The Company continues to advance additional certification activities supporting broader commercial deployment.

To complement this announcement, HPQ has published a technical Insight article titled " Why UL 1642 Certification Is an Important Commercial Milestone for Next-Generation Lithium-Ion Batteries.”

The article provides a detailed review of the engineering principles, testing protocols, and commercial significance of these internationally recognized certification standards, along with an analysis of what HPQ's latest certification milestone means for the commercialization of its HPQ ENDURA+ silicon-anode cell platform.

Read the article here.

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 and commercializing HPQ ENDURA+ lithium-ion battery platforms incorporating Gen3 and Gen4 technologies, 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 Endura+ batteries project 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, BAA – MBA Chairman, President, and CEO
Tel +1 (514) 846-3271 / Email: [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0b3d934-1003-4176-b2ca-1bf22d072c1a

HPQ signed an LOI with LN Innov' and Novacium SAS to evaluate a Canadian-based platform integrating advanced batteries, electric motors and propulsion systems for North American drone and defense markets. HPQ has direct exposure to the proposed platform through their 36.8% equity interest in Novacium SAS and exclusive North American commercialization rights. More than 20 customers have tested LN Innov electric propulsion systems, and more than a dozen have subsequently placed commercial orders. LN Innov is presently scaling up its manufacturing capacity to reach up to 20,000 drone motors per month in France by the end of Q3 2026. Novacium's advanced battery technologies are currently being evaluated by French drone manufacturers introduced through LN Innov for potential integration into future drone platforms. , /PRNewswire/ - HPQ Silicon Inc. ("HPQ" or the "Company") (TSXV: HPQ) (OTCQB: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), a technology company specializing in advanced materials innovation and next-generation industrial processes, today announced that it signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with LN Innov' ("LN Innov"), a French developer and manufacturer of high-performance electric propulsion systems, and Novacium SAS ("Novacium") on June 16 2026, during the 2026 edition of the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, France.

HPQ holds a 36.8% equity interest in Novacium and exclusive North American commercialization rights to its technologies.

"As drones become increasingly critical across commercial, industrial and defense applications, governments and industry are recognizing that batteries and electric propulsion systems have become strategic technologies," said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon. "Today, much of that supply chain remains concentrated in Asia, creating vulnerabilities that many jurisdictions are actively working to reduce. Through our partnership with Novacium and this new collaboration with LN Innov, we have an opportunity to evaluate the adaptation of an industrial model currently being deployed in Europe for North American markets, combining advanced battery technologies with proven electric propulsion expertise. For HPQ, this represents another step in our broader strategy of identifying innovative technologies with demonstrated market potential and positioning the Company to assess potential commercialization opportunities across North America."

Scope of the LOI

The LOI establishes a framework for HPQ, Novacium and LN Innov to evaluate, over the next 190 days, the feasibility of establishing a Canadian-based platform integrating Novacium's battery technologies, to be sold under the HPQ ENDURA+ brand and LN Innov's electric propulsion systems for drone, robotics and defense markets across North America.

The parties have already completed preliminary technical reviews that supported the decision to enter into this LOI. The evaluation contemplated under the LOI will focus primarily on industrialization, manufacturing, supply-chain requirements, certification pathways, target applications, business structure and potential commercialization strategies for North American markets.

The LOI is non-binding, does not grant exclusivity and does not include financial commitments, payment obligations or minimum purchase requirements. Any future collaboration would remain subject to further evaluation and the negotiation of definitive agreements.

Any future collaboration would remain subject to further evaluation and the negotiation of definitive agreements.

There can be no assurance that the evaluation activities contemplated by the LOI will result in the execution of a definitive agreement or any commercial arrangement between the parties.

LN Innov' Sovereign High-Performance Electric Propulsion Platform

Electric motors are at the heart of every autonomous platform, directly influencing performance, efficiency and thrust-to-weight ratio. LN Innov' develops and manufactures high-performance propulsion systems for a broad range of applications, including FPV drones, interception systems, surveillance platforms and payload-delivery drones.

More than 20 customers operating in the drone, robotics and defense sectors have tested LN Innov's electric motors under operating conditions, and more than a dozen customers have subsequently placed commercial orders.

These activities support LN Innov's ongoing efforts to expand its production capacity in France, with the objective of scaling its manufacturing capability to up to 20,000 drone motors per month by the end of Q3 2026. The parties intend to evaluate whether elements of this industrial model could be adapted for North American markets.

"We are still at the beginning of this adventure, but the market signals are encouraging," said Nathalie Mazeau, President of LN Innov'. "Having more than 20 customers test our motors and seeing more than a dozen subsequently place orders provides valuable feedback regarding the performance of our technology. This Letter of Intent creates an opportunity to explore how our industrial and technological expertise, combined with Novacium's advanced battery technologies and HPQ's North American presence, could contribute to the development of an electric propulsion ecosystem in North America."

Novacium's High-Performance Drone Battery Platform

As drone adoption continues to expand across commercial, industrial and defense applications, operators seek battery solutions that balance energy density, reliability, safety and manufacturability.

Novacium is developing silicon-enhanced battery technologies intended for drone and autonomous-system applications. As part of its ongoing development activities, Novacium has produced battery configurations designed to meet operating requirements commonly used in current drone platforms, including systems delivering approximately 15 Ah capacity, 21.3 V nominal voltage and energy densities near 205 Wh/kg.

Novacium's advanced silicon-enhanced battery technologies are being developed to meet these requirements while providing a pathway toward future higher-energy-density solutions.

Novacium's battery technologies are currently being evaluated by industrial and defense-sector participants to assess their suitability for integration into future drone and autonomous-system platforms.

The proposed collaboration with LN Innov provides an opportunity to evaluate the integration of Novacium's advanced battery technologies, marketed under the HPQ ENDURA+ brand, into complete electric propulsion systems for drone, robotics and autonomous-system applications in North America.

"One of the most important developments in our battery program is that manufacturers are evaluating our technologies against defined operational requirements," said Jed Kraiem, COO of Novacium. "The collaboration with LN Innov creates an opportunity to assess how advanced battery technologies and high-performance electric propulsion systems can be combined into integrated solutions for drone, robotics and autonomous-system applications."

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 and Gen4) 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.

About NOVACIUM SAS

Novacium is an innovative technology start-up created in 2022, in France. It is an engineering and R&D company dedicated to materials for energy, with a specialization in silicon and hydrogen. Novacium is developing 2 technologies. The first concerns a new silicon-based anode material that significantly increases the capacity of Li-ion batteries. Novacium's second activity is the generation of hydrogen. Novacium is developing an autonomous hydrogen generation system for civil and military applications fueled by a patented alloy based on silicon and aluminum.

About LN Innov'

LN Innov' is a French technology company specialized in high-performance electric propulsion systems for drones and unmanned platforms. The company develops next-generation motors and integrated propulsion solutions delivering industry-leading power-to-weight ratios, efficiency and reliability. Through its Groupe Moto-Propulseur strategy, LN Innov' is building a complete ecosystem integrating batteries, power electronics, motors and propulsion

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 Endura+ batteries project 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.