Framatome and Standard Nuclear Inc. have formed a joint venture (JV) to supply commercial quantities of Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) particles and proprietary advanced reactor products to the nuclear power industry. The collaboration announced September 30 marks a significant advancement in Western nuclear fuel supply chain development, leveraging the expertise and robust infrastructure of two industry pioneers and their commitment to bringing advanced reactor fuel to the market.
The JV, a reactor-agnostic pairing named Standard Nuclear-Framatome (SNF), will be governed by a board of directors with senior leaders from both companies. Combining Framatome’s fuel cycle expertise and proven infrastructure with Standard Nuclear’s technical manufacturing capabilities and industry-leading fuel production expertise to deliver finished TRISO-based fuel products, the partnership will meet the future demands of the advanced reactor nuclear market.
“Pairing Standard Nuclear’s pioneering technology and full-scale pilot facility with our deep-rooted manufacturing expertise and scalable capacity has ignited a shared momentum,” said Tony Robinson, CEO of Framatome Inc. “This isn’t just collaboration – it’s a shared vision and capability for the future of our industry to develop advanced reactor fuel on a commercial scale to support advanced reactor developers.”
With this collaboration, both organizations are committed to bringing the most competitive TRISO fuel particles to market for advanced reactor operators, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro reactors. Once operational, the partnership aims to start by producing 2 metric tons of TRISO fuel annually, representing a significant scale-up from current capacity to supply the incoming fleet of advanced reactors in the U.S. and beyond.
“This strategic partnership with Framatome marks a pivotal moment in establishing a robust, domestic TRISO fuel supply chain,” said Kurt Terrani, CEO of Standard Nuclear. “By combining Framatome’s proven infrastructure and expertise with Standard Nuclear’s manufacturing capabilities, we’re creating a powerful alliance that will deliver the high-quality TRISO fuel needed to power the next generation of advanced reactors. This joint venture reinforces our commitment to serving as America’s leading advanced nuclear fuel supplier while strengthening the Western world’s energy security through reliable, reactor-agnostic fuel production.”
The 10 CFR Part 70 License amendment for Framatome’s Richland, Washington, nuclear fuel manufacturing facility was submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 2024, accepted for review, and planned to be finalized in spring of 2026. The JV plans to commence manufacturing in 2027 pending regulatory approvals.
Standard Nuclear is the nation’s only independent developer of TRISO fuel, a high-performance nuclear fuel made from uranium particles wrapped in protective ceramic and carbon layers. TRISO is known for its enhanced safety and durability at extreme temperatures, making it a critical component in many advanced reactor designs, including high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and other emerging advanced nuclear reactors.
—POWER edited this content, which was contributed by Framatome.
