Thorizon and Urenco partner on advanced nuclear reactor fuel

Thorizon and Urenco have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore fuel supply chains for next-generation molten salt reactors. The collaboration focuses on providing fuel for the Thorizon One, an advanced reactor design that uses molten salt as both a coolant and a fuel carrier.

A key aspect of the partnership is investigating whether depleted uranium, a byproduct of the uranium enrichment process, can be utilized as fuel. By using fast reactors, it is technically possible to convert uranium-238 into plutonium-239, allowing for significantly more energy extraction from existing nuclear waste stocks.

The companies are also looking into the production of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), which is required for these advanced systems. Urenco is expanding its capabilities to meet this demand, including through its Advanced Fuels Facility in Capenhurst, UK. Thorizon aims to have its first commercial reactors operational by the mid-2030s.