SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Framatome and TerraPower launch HALEU metallization pilot line

Framatome and TerraPower collaborate to develop a pilot HALEU metallization line in Richland, strengthening fuel supply for advanced nuclear reactors in the USA.

Share:

ramatome et TerraPower lancent une ligne pilote de métallisation de HALEU.

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Framatome and TerraPower have signed a major agreement to design and operate a pilot HALEU (medium-enriched uranium) metallization line at Framatome’s nuclear fuel fabrication plant in Richland, USA. This agreement marks a crucial step in strengthening the nuclear fuel supply chain, essential for the development of advanced nuclear reactors. The pilot line will demonstrate Framatome ‘s ability to convert uranium oxide (UO2) into HALEU metal, further strengthening the collaboration between the two companies. This initiative is part of TerraPower’s efforts to develop a robust domestic nuclear fuel supply chain to meet the industry’s energy needs.

Technology and Production

HALEU metallization is a key process in the conversion of uranium into metal, which is then used to manufacture fuel for advanced reactors. The pilot line currently under construction at Richland will demonstrate the viability of this technology, supporting the emerging market for advanced nuclear reactors. Chris Levesque, President and CEO of TerraPower, emphasized the importance of this investment in the development of NatriumTM technology. The collaboration with Framatome enables TerraPower to secure the supply of metallic raw materials needed to manufacture fuel for its reactors.

Strengthening the supply chain

The commissioning of the HALEU pilot plant in Richland is a decisive step for Framatome, which has also applied for funding under the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) HALEU Availability Program (HAP). This initiative aims to secure fuel supplies for advanced reactors and support industrial growth. Ala Alzaben, senior vice president for North America Fuel at Framatome, expressed his confidence in this pragmatic collaboration with TerraPower, stressing that it strengthens customer confidence in new nuclear fuel technologies. Large-scale metal production of HALEU is essential to meet the needs of advanced nuclear reactors.

Prospects and opportunities

Framatome and TerraPower see this pilot line as an opportunity to consolidate their position in the nuclear fuel market. The ability to supply HALEU in metal is a competitive advantage for both companies, enabling them to respond effectively to the growing demand for fuel for advanced reactors.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Floating solar market to hit $3.39bn by 2030 driven by land scarcity
La Libye cible 1,6 million de barils par jour de pétrole d’ici fin 2026
Engie and Apple sign 15-year PPA for 173 MW in Italy
Niger maintains oil cooperation with China despite growing demands
Sonatrach restarts Skikda unit to boost LNG exports
EDF faces environmental gaps on EPR2 project in Penly
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China sign agreement on radioisotope supply
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
Last Energy to install pilot microreactor at Texas A&M campus
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.
PGE takes full control of Poland’s second nuclear power plant project
PGE acquires ZE PAK's stake in the joint venture responsible for developing Poland’s second nuclear site, consolidating a strategic asset within its energy portfolio.
Amazon and X-energy advance nuclear project with 12 small reactors
Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
NexGen raises A$1bn to finance its Rook I uranium project in Canada
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tepco considers shutting down Kashiwazaki-Kariwa’s two oldest reactors
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
End of JCPOA reignites uncertainty over Iran’s nuclear programme
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo and newcleo announce $2bn nuclear partnership to strengthen US fuel supply
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.
enCore discovers three new uranium roll fronts in Texas
enCore Energy has identified three new uranium roll fronts at its Alta Mesa project, with ongoing drilling aimed at defining their extent and accelerating development work.
Radiant invests $280mn in a microreactor factory in Oak Ridge
California-based Radiant will build its first microreactor production facility in Oak Ridge, on a former Manhattan Project site, with production targeted at 50 units per year by 2028.
Flamanville EPR restarts after four-month technical shutdown
EDF restarted the Flamanville EPR reactor after repairing non-compliant valves, delaying the target of reaching full power output of 1,620 MW until the end of autumn.
Nano Nuclear begins drilling work for its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor
Nano Nuclear and the University of Illinois will begin drilling operations for the KRONOS MMR™ reactor on October 24, marking a key step toward commercialisation of the nuclear project on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
Natura Resources to deploy the first Gen IV nuclear reactor in the United States by 2026
Natura Resources is finalising construction of the MSR-1, an advanced liquid-fuel nuclear reactor, with a planned launch in 2026 on the Abilene Christian University campus.
JPMorganChase mobilises $1.5tn to support nuclear energy and critical supply chains
JPMorganChase commits $10bn in direct investments as part of a $1.5tn plan to boost energy independence and strategic technologies, including next-generation nuclear power.
Ukraine prepares legal framework to accelerate small modular reactor deployment
A roadmap under development aims to establish regulatory and technical foundations for the deployment of small modular reactors, with the goal of strengthening national energy security and attracting private capital.
EDF raises nuclear forecast to 375 TWh driven by industrial plan
EDF adjusts its 2025 nuclear production forecast to between 365 and 375 TWh, supported by the performance of its industrial programme START 2025 focused on maintenance efficiency.
IAEA proposes local truce to restore power at Zaporizhzhia
The United Nations nuclear agency is urging Ukraine and Russia to establish a local ceasefire to repair damaged power lines at the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains on alert after losing all external power supply.
Deep Isolation urges US states to include nuclear waste in reactor strategy
Deep Isolation is calling on First Mover States to incorporate radioactive waste management into their joint strategy to ensure the industrial viability of new nuclear reactors.
Ontario Power Generation authorised to operate new nuclear waste storage facility
Canada’s nuclear regulator has approved the launch of a new building that will store used steam generators from Bruce Power's refurbishment programme.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.