Eight parties in the Netherlands have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to advance Thorizon’s molten salt reactor technology. In addition to reactor developer Thorizon, they include: EPZ, operator of the Borsselle NPP; Research and development company NRG Pallas in Petten; the Provinces of Zeeland and Noord-Holland; regional development agencies Impuls Zeeland and ROM InWest; and Invest-NL, the Dutch national promotional institution.
The MOU marks a significant step for the Netherlands in the race to deploy next-generation nuclear technology. By aligning Thorizon, research entities such as NRG Pallas, and regional authorities, the agreement establishes a clear path toward the target of commissioning Europe’s first commercial molten salt reactor (MSR).
The project follows a dual-site strategy. The Pioneer demonstrator will be developed in Noord-Holland (leveraging the expertise at the Petten research site), followed by the Thorizon One, the first full-scale commercial reactor, in Zeeland (near the existing Borssele plant).
The Thorizon One technology is a 100 MWe (250 MWt) reactor system designed for industrial decarbonisation. It features a unique replaceable core cartridge (swapped every 5–10 years) to solve common MSR issues like material corrosion and spent fuel handling. It is designed to run on a mixture of thorium and long-lived radioactive waste from existing nuclear plants, converting it into shorter-lived waste. The reactor design is for operation at roughly 550°C–600°C, making it ideal for providing process heat to chemical plants and steel manufacturing.
Thorizon was founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the Nuclear Research and consultancy Group (NRG) as an independent deep-tech startup. In 2022 it secured €12.5m ($14.7m) in seed funding to develop the conceptual design of the Thorizon One reactor. In early 2024 it established a second engineering site in Lyon, France, to integrate into the French nuclear technology community and in March 2025 raised an additional €20m in Series A funding and grants
Thorizon has secured significant financial and strategic backing in both France and the Netherlands. This includes a €10m ($11.5m) French Government subsidy. In March 2024, Thorizon was selected as a winner of the “innovative nuclear reactors” call for projects under the France 2030 national investment plan. The grant is specifically earmarked for accelerating the development of the Thorizon One.
The MOU sets out three milestones for Thorizon targeting development of Europe’s first commercial molten salt reactor. These include:
- 2027: Realisation of a non-nuclear molten salt test facility and the launch of the Thorizon pilot programme in Zeeland and Noord-Brabant with manufacturing companies Schelde Exotech and VDL Groep. Thorizon is using a “hub” strategy:
Zeeland (Schelde Exotech) will focus on the heavy engineering and the actual deployment site at Borssele.
Noord-Brabant (VDL Groep) will focus on high-tech systems and the manufacturing supply chain. By 2027, these two companies will physically build the test loops to prove that molten salt can be pumped safely before any nuclear fuel is ever introduced.
- 2028: Construction of the Thorizon Pioneer nuclear demonstrator at NRG Pallas in Petten, Noord-Holland, designed to be the first nuclear molten salt installation to operate in Europe.
- 2034: Realisation of Thorizon One, a 100 MWe first commercial molten salt reactor in Zeeland, the first of its kind in Europe.
Thorizon, together with its partners, will pursue European Investment Bank (EIB) financing for Thorizon One and Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI) support for the Pioneer demonstrator, alongside private co-investment from new strategic investors. “Cumulative investment in the roadmap is expected to grow to over one billion euros, creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and establishing the Netherlands as Europe’s leading hub for advanced nuclear manufacturing and innovation,” Thorizon said.
EPZ joined the group under the MOU to investigate becoming the owner, licensee and operator of the Thorizon One. NRG Pallas will provide the site for the Pioneer demonstrator and intends to become its owner, licensee and operator. The Provinces of Zeeland and Noord-Holland are committed to supporting permitting and licensing and to engaging stakeholders in their regions. Regional development agencies Impuls Zeeland and ROM InWest have both expressed their intention to co-invest directly in Thorizon, alongside their role in anchoring the roadmap in the economic ecosystem of their respective regions. Invest-NL, which has supported Thorizon since 2022, reaffirms its intention to continue financial backing into this next and decisive phase of development.
Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers of: “Securing a site for the demonstrator, alongside strong progress toward the first commercial reactor in Zeeland, marks a defining milestone for Thorizon,” said Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers. “With NRG PALLAS in Petten and EPZ in Borssele, we have two outstanding partners. This coalition gives us the foundation to move from development into deployment.”
EPZ CEO Marco Muilenburg noted: “EPZ has operated the Borssele site for over 50 years and is committed to playing a key role in the future of nuclear energy in the Netherlands. We look forward to exploring what a first-of-a-kind molten salt reactor at our site in Zeeland could mean for our region, our country and the energy transition.”
NRG Pallas CEO Maurits Wolleswinkel said NRG Pallas has been a long-time leader in molten-salt applied research “and we are proud that Thorizon became a spinoff”. He added: “We are excited that we can now provide an opportunity to leverage our nuclear infrastructure and broad expertise to realise the Thorizon Pioneer Demonstrator at the Energy & Health Campus and contribute to CO2-free energy with minimum nuclear waste.”
In addition to the grouping brought together by the latest MOU, Thorizon is also a member of three other consortia.
The France 2030 Consortium, established in March 2024 focuses on advancing molten salt reactor technology and closing the nuclear fuel cycle within the French energy ecosystem. Partners include Orano (lead), SMR developer Stellaria, engineering consultancy Oakridge, University of Lille, and Centrale Lille. The consortium was awarded a €10m grant from the French government as part of the France 2030 investment plan.
The Noord-Brabant Technology Consortium, established in late 2024, focuses on validating high-tech reactor components and prototyping modular systems using the manufacturing expertise of the Eindhoven region. Partners include technology developer Demcon, VDL Groep, and science and technology company DIFFER.
Project ZILT (Zeeland Consortium), established in August 2025 focuses on preparing for the first commercial Thorizon One reactor in Zeeland. Partners include EPZ, industrial equipment manufacturer Schelde Exotech, technology company Delmeco, HZ University of Applied Sciences, and vocational and adult education organisation Scalda. It is backed by €10m from the EU’s Just Transition Fund (JTF).
