Three major companies in the nuclear energy sector—Curio, NuScale Power, and Framatome—have joined forces through a new agreement to assess the potential of using materials recovered from used nuclear fuel as components in new fuel and other products. As part of the collaboration, the firms are exploring methods to transition materials from spent fuel into new applications in nuclear reactors. The initiative reflects a broader industry effort to develop sustainable and efficient systems for managing nuclear waste and fuel production.
Each firm brings unique expertise to the partnership
Each organization contributes distinct strengths to the partnership. Curio is focused on the development of advanced fuel recycling technologies through its NuCycle system. NuScale Power specializes in the design and deployment of small modular reactors, while Framatome provides expertise in nuclear fuel production and reactor services. Together, these companies aim to establish a closed-loop fuel cycle that could significantly reduce waste and enhance the reliability of nuclear fuel supply chains.
Curio’s NuCycle technology is designed to process used nuclear fuel and extract valuable materials for reuse. The company claims its method can recover key nuclear materials while reducing residual waste by up to 97%. NuScale’s small modular reactor, known as the NuScale Power Module, is a pressurized water reactor capable of generating 77 megawatts of electricity per unit. Multiple modules can be linked to create larger power plants, offering a flexible and scalable energy solution. Framatome, with its global presence, contributes extensive experience in fuel design and reactor services, supporting a wide range of nuclear facilities around the world.
The focus is on technical and commercial feasibility
The partnership will conduct in-depth studies on several critical areas, including material recovery, fuel development, manufacturing processes, and supply-chain logistics. The companies will analyze whether the recycled materials can be effectively used in next-generation reactors at a large scale. Additionally, they will evaluate how their respective technologies can be integrated to ensure seamless operation and efficiency.
Ed McGinnis, CEO of Curio, emphasized the importance of building a robust fuel cycle infrastructure. He stated, “America’s ability to lead the next era of nuclear energy will depend on more than building reactors—it will require building the fuel cycle infrastructure needed to support them.”
Tony Robinson, President and CEO of Framatome Inc., echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for innovation and strong collaboration throughout the fuel cycle. He said, “Advancing the next generation of nuclear energy demands bold innovation and strong alignment across the entire fuel cycle. At Framatome, we are committed to working with partners who share that vision and support efforts to strengthen America’s nuclear infrastructure.”
Next steps remain uncertain but promising
At this stage, the partnership is not a finalized commercial agreement for fuel production. Instead, it establishes a collaborative framework for exploring the potential of using recycled nuclear materials in advanced reactors. The initial phase involves technical assessments, feasibility studies, and supply-chain analyses to identify viable development pathways. If successful, the collaboration could lead to deeper partnerships in technology development, fuel qualification, and commercial deployment.
John Hopkins, President and CEO of NuScale Power, stressed the importance of reliable fuel supplies in supporting the expansion of nuclear energy. He said, “With the most near-term deployable SMR technology, NuScale has long recognized that the nuclear industry requires a strong, reliable, sustainable frontend and backend fuel supply to meet increasing demand.”
The companies agree that the primary goal is to determine whether an integrated fuel system can be developed for advanced reactors. By combining their technologies and expertise, the partners aim to address key challenges in nuclear fuel production and waste management.
