2-metric-ton nuclear fuel boost planned under US-French collab

The article reports on a new US-French collaboration between Standard Nuclear Inc. and Framatome to form a joint venture, Standard Nuclear-Framatome (SNF), aimed at producing commercial-scale quantities of Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel. TRISO fuel, known for its exceptional safety and durability at extreme temperatures, is ideal for advanced reactors such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactors. The venture plans to begin manufacturing at Framatome’s Richland, Washington facility in 2027, pending regulatory approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with an initial production target of 2 metric tons of TRISO fuel annually. This represents a significant increase in capacity to support the growing advanced reactor market in the US and globally. The partnership leverages Standard Nuclear’s specialized manufacturing capabilities alongside Framatome’s extensive fuel cycle expertise and infrastructure, overseen by a joint board of directors. Both companies emphasize the strategic importance of establishing a robust domestic TR