Pyrogenesis' Plasma-Based SPARCTM System Officially Unveiled At Launch Of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility

MONTREAL, March 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Inc. (“PyroGenesis” or“the Company”) (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY1), a leader in ultra-high temperature processes and engineering innovation, and a plasma-based technology provider to heavy industry & defense, announces that its plasma-based SPARCTM system was unveiled during the official launch of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility, on Friday March 20, 2026. The facility is the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and will use PyroGenesis' patented all-electric steam plasma arc (“SPARC”) system to safely destroy up to 100,000 kg/yr of hazardous end-of-life synthetic refrigerants, such as CFCs, HFCs, and HCFCs. These gases have a combined Global Warming Potential of 220 million kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Their destruction ends the potential for harm.

^{Image 1: PyroGenesis' steam plasma arc (SPARCTM) hazardous refrigerant destruction system, shown at the opening of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility. Photo Credit: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.}

PyroGenesis was awarded the contract, valued at approximately $6 million, to design and build the SPARCTM system for New Zealand. This was part of a national initiative to address the climate impact of harmful refrigerant gases locally, rather than continuing the existing practice of collecting, storing, then transporting the gases to Australia for incineration.

Synthetic refrigerants are found in heat pumps, commercial refrigeration, and residential & commercial air conditioning systems. When those products are disposed of, the refrigerants contained within can leak into the environment and, as such, must be captured for treatment. With the opening of this new facility, New Zealand's end-of-life refrigerants will no longer need to be stockpiled and shipped offshore. Instead, they will be permanently and safely destroyed in New Zealand, using PyroGenesis' patented all-electric technology. Additionally, the facility is adjacent to geothermal plants, enabling the use of renewable energy to help power the operations and support an environmentally sustainable closed-loop system.

^{Image 2: Local and national officials, along with client representatives from Cool-Safe New Zealand, and PyroGenesis' Lead Process Engineer Jean-René Gagnon (left), help cut the ribbon to announce the official opening of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility. Photo Credit: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.}

Speaking at the facility opening in the town of Kawerau, Chair of the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants, Richard Lauder, said:“This plant represents the beginning of a new chapter in advanced environmental stewardship and action on dealing with end-of-life refrigerants in Aotearoa New Zealand”. Mr. Lauder discussed how refrigerants touch every corner of New Zealand, and reliance on them is growing exponentially – from home and commercial air-conditioning, healthcare, supermarkets and foodservice to logistics and temperature controlled“cold” supply chains.“Ultimately, to fully address the climate impact, these gases must be safely and permanently destroyed when they reach end-of-life. And now, that solution exists here in New Zealand.” ¹

^{Image 3: Chair of the Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants, Richard Lauder, speaks at the opening of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility. Photo Credit: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.}

PyroGenesis' patented all-electric SPARCTM system uses inexpensive steam as the plasma-forming gas to generate a hydrolysis reaction which safely destroys ozone-depleting refrigerants, such as CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, Halons, and PFCs. SPARCTM provides significantly reduced operating costs and carbon footprint, with cleaner operations and no incineration, when compared to processing or incineration which typically use more expensive gases and fossil fuels. The system is based on the technology platform originally developed by PyroGenesis for both the U.S. Navy and Air Force.

^{Image 4: PyroGenesis' engineering team José Urbina, Jean-René Gagnon, and Aidan Moir, stand in front of PyroGenesis' all-electric plasma-based SPARCTM system, at the opening of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility. Photo Credit: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.}

“Projects of this kind, that advance a cleaner, more sustainable environment, while streamlining logistics by reducing the storage and transport of hazardous materials, demonstrate how all-electric, plasma-based technology can deliver both environmental benefits and meaningful gains in operational efficiency,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis.“Refrigerants are crucial for cooling but have a global warning potential thousands of times that of CO2. In fact, one kilogram of a common HFC refrigerant such as R-410A has approximately the same greenhouse effect as 2 tonnes (2,000 kg) of CO2. With the opening of the National Refrigerant Destruction Facility, our SPARCTM system will be instrumental to the national initiative for the safe destruction of hazardous refrigerants in New Zealand and to the reduction of GHGs across the Southern Hemisphere.”

^{Image 5: Jean-René Gagnon, PyroGenesis' Lead Process Engineer, speaks at the opening of New Zealand's National Refrigerant Destruction Facility. Photo Credit: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.}

About PyroGenesis Inc.

PyroGenesis leverages 35 years of plasma technology leadership to deliver advanced engineering solutions to energy, propulsion, destruction, process heating, emissions, and materials development challenges across heavy industry and defense. Its customers include global leaders in aluminum, aerospace, steel, iron ore, utilities, environmental services, military, and government. From its Montreal headquarters and local manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis' engineers, scientists, and technicians drive innovation and commercialization of energy transition and ultra-high temperature technology. PyroGenesis' operations are ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified, with ISO certification maintained since 1997. PyroGenesis' shares trade on the TSX (PYR), OTCQX (PYRGF), and Frankfurt (8PY1) stock exchanges.

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