PyroGenesis Announces First Quarter 2025 Results

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Business Line Developments: Near Term (0 – 3 months)

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Financial

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Payments for Outstanding Major Receivables:
Regarding the outstanding receivable under the Company’s existing $25 million+ Drosrite™ contract, and as previously announced, PyroGenesis had agreed to a strategic extension of the payment plan, by the customer and its end-customer, geared to better align the pressures on the end-user’s operating cash flows created by increased business opportunities. The next payment(s) to PyroGenesis are expected in the near term.

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Energy Transition & Emission Reduction

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Plasma Torches for Alumina Calcination:
In Q1 2025, the Company signed an initial testing contract with a large European aluminum producer with a 100+ year history. The contract will test plasma torches as part of the calcination step for alumina, the last step of the Bayer process for refining bauxite ore into alumina, which is the raw material for producing aluminum. The project is scheduled to commence in the latter part of Q2 2025.

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Plasma-Based Glass Recycling:
The Company previously noted in an earlier Outlook that it was in advanced negotiations with a global leader in glass recycling, to investigate plasma as part of the customer’s energy transition initiatives, and that the project has advanced sooner than originally anticipated. The project is related to the spheronization of recycled glass using plasma. During Q1 2025, the Company signed an R&D / testing contract to help establish proof of concept. The contract involves multiple tests to optimize parameters and produce high-quality spherical glass particles for use in glass bed applications. The project is scheduled to commence in the latter part of Q2 2025.

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Plasma Torches for Aluminum Remelting Furnaces / Casthouses:
The Company has been working on aluminum remelting furnace solutions using plasma for use by secondary aluminum producers or any manufacturer of aluminum components that uses recycled or scrap aluminum. With gas-fired furnaces responsible for much of the scope 1 emissions of secondary aluminum production, aluminum companies have been searching for solutions such as plasma burners that can help in the decarbonization efforts of aluminum remelting and cast houses.

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An LOI for large-scale plasma remelting furnaces with Constellium, a global aluminum product manufacturer, was originally announced during Q2 2024 [news release dated April 10, 2024]. During Q4 2024, the first project under a letter of intent (LOI) previously signed with Constellium progressed to advanced negotiations, and a near-term announcement in late Q2 2025 regarding this project is anticipated.

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Separately, an existing contract with one of the world’s largest manufacturers of products that serve the mining and defense industries [news release dated April 17, 2024] to examine the use of plasma in decarbonizing of its casthouses, was also discussed in previous Outlooks. Successful results from the test project which used plasma torches as part of the customer’s high temperature process steps, have led to ongoing discussions for potential next steps. These discussions continue at both a local and international level for this global entity, with decisions around funding and funding cycle being the primary criteria.

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Discussions also remain underway with other clients for similar contracts.

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Aluminum Furnace Tests:
The Company has started, and will continue in the near term, live furnace tests of plasma as a process heat source in melting and holding furnaces with major aluminum companies, while also being in advanced discussions with other companies yet to be named for similar live furnace tests. Due to the nature of these tests and the increasing number of similar tests, the Company may choose not to announce every test session it engages in.

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Iron Ore Pelletization Torch Trials:
CLIENT B:
As mentioned in previous Outlooks, the commissioning of the plasma torch systems – for use in the pelletization furnaces of a client previously identified as Client B – was underway, with the Company’s engineers onsite at Client B’s iron ore facility. The commissioning process includes installation, start-up, and site acceptance testing (SAT). The Company previously announced that it had shipped four 1 MW plasma torch systems for use in Client B’s iron ore pelletization furnaces, for trials toward potentially replacing fossil-fuel burners with plasma torches in Client B’s furnaces.

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As also mentioned in previous Outlooks, this project continues to move forward after the commissioning suffered a series of unforeseeable delays and infrastructure challenges caused by, among other things, damaging torrential rainstorms that flooded and damaged the facility’s electrical system and furnace components, and intermittent power outages that led to damage of the plasma burners cooling system.

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Client B remains committed, and live trials using PyroGenesis plasma torches are occurring are ongoing and will remain as such until the customer determines they have sufficient performance data. The latest information provided to the Company suggests a Q2 2025 timeline for the completion of this performance testing and data gathering phase, though this is an estimate.

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CLIENT C:
Client C, a global market-leading client who the Company previously identified as one “who is not only a significant player in the iron ore pelletization industry, but is also a major player in the steel industry”, has been working with PyroGenesis over the past few years on various potential initiatives related to using plasma for decarbonization. PyroGenesis was previously awarded official supplier status to Client C as part of an impending initiative that was subsequently announced during Q4 2024 [news release dated November 19, 2024], for a contract to assess the applicability of PyroGenesis’ fully electric plasma torches for use in part of the customer’s electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and casting process. The initial project is currently underway with a near-term Q2 2025 expected completion date. The first stage of the project was concluded in Q1 2025, with assessment report towards next steps expected in Q2 2025.

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With live pelletization furnace plasma trials (with Client B) continuing, as the latest development with Client C renews their commitment to investigating plasma, and as new interest from other entities within the steelmaking industry continue to appear, the Company believes its position relative to both the steelmaking and iron ore industries remains strong. The early publicity and research results surrounding plasma’s potential for use in iron ore pelletization opened the doors to these and multiple other industries for electrification of furnaces and other high heat applications using PyroGenesis plasma torches, which the Company believes will ultimately far surpass the specific iron ore pelletization application.

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Commodity Security & Optimization

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Titanium Metal Powder:
During Q4 2024, the Company identified Boeing as the customer for whom a multi-year product certification process is being conducted related to titanium metal powder produced by PyroGenesis’ NexGen plasma atomization process. The Company also stated that all technical requirements for titanium coarse metal powder have been met by PyroGenesis NexGen plasma atomized powder for Boeing, and that PyroGenesis continues to move forward in the approved supplier list process, with an expectation of being formally added to Boeing’s supplier list in the near term.

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Fumed Silica Reactor (“FSR”) Project:
The Company previously noted in an earlier Outlook, that the Company’s client HPQ Polvere (a wholly owned subsidiary of HPQ Silicon Inc.), had announced the successful completion of commissioning of the Fumed Silica Reactor (FSR) pilot plant that PyroGenesis has been designing, engineering, and constructing to convert quartz into fumed silica in a single and eco-friendly step. At that time, the pilot plant had commenced pre-commercial production tests of fumed silica. Additionally, PyroGenesis previously announced in a press release dated May 30, 2024, its intent to exercise its right to convert its annual royalty rights into a 50% ownership stake of HPQ Polvere pursuant to a design and development agreement.

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In Q1 2025, [news release dated February 27, 2025], PyroGenesis announced the successful production of the first batch of materials from a week-long operation of the pilot plant. The material produced was visually analyzed and confirmed to be consistent with material seen in the previous lab-scale size plant. The results of planned further tests are expected in the near term, with commercial samples scheduled to be sent to key parties such as Evonik, a global specialty chemicals company that manufactures a wide range of high-performance materials and who is a global leader in fumed silica production (under the terms of an existing letter of intent), and others under NDA in the period to follow.

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Drosrite Factory Trials:
During Q4 of 2024, the Company conducted on-site trials of the Company’s Drosrite furnace system for the processing of aluminum dross, at the facilities of European aluminum manufacturers. Additionally, representatives from potential new customers conducted on-site visits at an existing PyroGenesis customer’s factory, where a Drosrite system has been successfully operating for several years. Data from the various tests and site visits are currently being analyzed during Q1 and Q2 to help determine next steps, if any, towards the possible purchase of Drosrite systems.

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Waste Remediation

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Plasma Resource Recovery System (PRRS):
As mentioned in previous Outlooks, the Company is in discussions with a European company for the Company’s Plasma Resource Recovery System, for use in the pyrolysis of plastic. This potential project has progressed to final negotiations with an expected outcome in the near term.

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SPARC Refrigerant Waste Destruction System:
The Company previously noted in an earlier Outlook that it was is in negotiations (with a mid-term 3-6 month outlook) with a large US-based distributor of refrigerants and specialty gases, regarding PyroGenesis’ SPARC system for the safe destruction of hazardous end-of-life refrigerants such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs, with a potential contract amount of approximately $2-3 million. The discussions continue and are expected to be concluded in the near term.

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Plasma-Based Glass Valorization:
The Company is in final negotiations with an entity in Canada, for a plasma-based furnace for use in the melting and valorization of recycled glass, with an estimated contract value of approximately $2 million. This potential client is currently assembling funds from a consortium of international contributors, across government and private entities. The amount secured will determine a potential start and/or the scope of the project, with a current timeline for final decision estimated as near-term.

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SPARC Refrigerant Waste Destruction System:
The Company is in negotiations with a Middle Eastern customer regarding PyroGenesis’ SPARC system for the safe destruction of hazardous end-of-life refrigerants such as CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs. The customer has access to a very large existing stockpile of these hazardous materials. Discussions continue as a possible co-venture, whereby PyroGenesis would receive revenue on a profit-sharing basis. PyroGenesis is conducting due diligence on key elements related to the potential business model, and a memorandum of understanding is currently being finalized.

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Business Line Developments: Mid Term (3-6 months)

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Commodity Security & Optimization

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Plasma Torches for Cement-Related Calcination:
The Company is in negotiations with a European entity to use plasma torches during a calcination process related to cement production, with an estimated initial project value of $500,000 to $1 million.

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Plasma Torches for Global Chemical Firm:
The Company is in discussions with an American entity for the potential sale of plasma torches to aid in the production of carbon black. Potential initial value of $2-3 million with additional longer-term potential.

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Commodity Security & Optimization

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Plasma Torch System for Pyrolysis:
The Company is in discussions with a European entity for the sale of a plasma torch system and/or plasma reactor system, which the customer would utilize in their production of carbon black and hydrogen for use in batteries and graphite production. A project quote has been submitted with a potential project value of approximately $2 million.

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Drosrite Systems:
The Company is in various stages of discussions with aluminum manufacturers to purchase Drosrite aluminum dross processing systems, including with two Middle Eastern aluminum companies for the purchase of multiple 5,000+ tonnes per year Drosrite furnaces. In addition, multiple European and American aluminum manufacturers are considering systems of various capacities.

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Titanium Metal Powder:
The Company is in discussions with several companies in both North America and Europe regarding the potential sale of titanium metal powder, across both “coarse” and “fine” powder cuts.

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Green Cement Additive:
PozPyro is a cement additive material produced by PyroGenesis’ as a collaboration with its client Progressive Planet. The proprietary plasma process converts widely available, high-grade crystalline silica into amorphous silica that can be used to enhance the strength of concrete as a replacement for fly ash which is in diminishing supply. Previous announcements [news release dated May 2, 2024] showed compressive strength tests for PozPyro of up to 99.5% above standards for similar material such as fly ash, while surpassing even the full-strength value of the Portland Cement control by up to 49.67%. A potential contract for a future pilot plant has an estimated value of $15-20 million. In Q1, the Company developed and delivered an advanced feasibility and technical study towards the construction of a pilot plant.

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Business Line Developments: Long Term (> 6 months)

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Commodity Security & Optimization

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Silicon, Nano-Silicon, and Silica Production:
The Company is in discussions at quotation stage with several potential customers who have expressed interest in PyroGenesis’ advanced methods for producing silicon, nano-silicon, and silica. The potential customers include:

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  • a major global automaker (whose interest lies in both nano-silicon and silicon oxide [SiOX] for EV batteries) who is considering a lab-scale production system (approximate value of $500,000) with a long-term potential pilot plant with an estimated contract value of $10-15 million.
  • a US battery manufacturer considering a lab-scale production system for anode material (approximate value of $500,000); cost and scope development meetings towards a potential project are underway and further scheduled for Q2 2025
  • a raw material supplier to the construction materials industry who is considering a lab-scale production system (approximate value of $150,000) with a long-term potential pilot plant with an estimated contract value of $10-15 million. Negotiations continue throughout Q2.
  • a raw material producer and manufacturer in South Asia is considering a production system with an estimated contract value of $10-15 million.

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Silica Compound Production:
The Company is in early-stage discussions with an Asian commodity producer to use plasma to transform waste into a variety of in-demand silica compounds.

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Waste Remediation

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Plasma Torch for Hazardous Waste Destruction:
The Company is in early-stage discussions with an operator of a large North American hazardous waste facility for the sale of a plasma torch system. The facility destroys a variety of hazardous waste, including PFAS “forever chemicals”, currently using an incineration process.

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Plasma Torches for Tunnel Boring:
As noted above, the Company is a party to a framework master agreement with EarthGrid, which included the payment to the Company of a non-refundable downpayment for $667,000. Negotiations of a first substantial statement of work are ongoing and remain positive but depend in large part on the client’s ability to secure funding in a timely manner. The client now anticipates proceeding with the purchase of a single plasma torch system in the near to mid term, followed by one or more larger orders in subsequent quarters, dependent upon the client’s financing. While there is no guarantee this statement of work or additional ones will be completed, if successful the Company foresees the potential for a multi-phase, multi-year partnership with the client that may result in materially significant additional plasma torch orders over the next few years. EarthGrid continues to have challenges raising capital sufficient to make purchases under this agreement.

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Plasma Waste-to-Energy System / Resource Recovery System (PRRS):
The Company previously announced the signing of a 2-stage contract for a land-based plasma waste-to-energy system with a European consortium. The first stage consists of a conceptual and preliminary design phase for approximately $2 million, which commenced in Q3 and was scheduled to last no more than one year. The design of the Plasma Waste-to-Energy System is based on the Company’s Plasma Resource Recovery System (PRRS), a waste-to-energy technology that eliminates toxic compounds while transforming waste into reusable products such as syngas and chemicals such as methanol. This project is currently on hold as the client lost its first stage financing. The client is looking for alternate funds. Until such time as those funds have been secured and the project restarted, $2 million was removed from the Company’s reported backlog during Q4 2024.

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Plasma Torches for 3rd Party Waste-to-Energy Systems:
The Company has been in discussions over several years with a European entity, to act as a potential supplier of plasma torches for the entity’s waste-to-energy initiative; the entity has at times, listed PyroGenesis as their torch supplier in various publications online. In Q3 2024, this entity announced having entered into an agreement with a German multi-Billion-dollar leading technology company to accelerate green energy transition through waste-to-energy technology. The entity announced that it aims to establish 300 plants producing 1 million tons of hydrogen over the next several years.

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** Please note that projects or potential projects previously announced, or listed in previous Outlooks, that do not appear in the above summary updates, should not be considered as at risk. Noteworthy developments can occur at any time based on project stages, and the information presented above reflects information on hand. Projects not mentioned may have simply not concluded or not passed milestones worthy of discussion. **

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FURTHER INFORMATION

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Additional information relating to Company and its business, including the 2024 consolidated financial statements, the Annual Information Form and other filings that the Company has made and may make in the future with applicable securities authorities, may be found on or through SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, or the Company’s website at www.pyrogenesis.com.

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Additional information, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness, principal holders of the Company’s securities and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is also contained in the Company’s most recent management information circular for the most recent annual meeting of shareholders of the Company.

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About PyroGenesis Inc.

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PyroGenesis, a high-tech company, is a proud leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created proprietary, patented and advanced plasma technologies that are being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry leaders in four massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum, waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization.  The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. PyroGenesis’ shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada (TSX: PYR), the OTCQX in the US (OTCQX: PYRGF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany (FRA: 8PY1). For more information, please visit: www.pyrogenesis.com.

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Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

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This press release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “targets”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “an opportunity exists”, “is positioned”, “estimates”, “intends”, “assumes”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate” or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management’s current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance.

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Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by PyroGenesis as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under “Risk Factors” in PyroGenesis’ latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that it has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities, all of which are available under PyroGenesis’ profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect PyroGenesis. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. PyroGenesis undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) nor the OTCQX Best Market accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

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