Chicago-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) and Boston-based Quadrant Nuclear Industries (QNI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a framework for collaboration on a reliable, domestic supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. This supports the commercialisation of advanced thorium-based nuclear power by securing key supply chain components.
The non-binding MOU establishes a framework for future collaboration as both companies continue advancing their respective commercial programmes. It does not establish pricing, quantity, or exclusivity commitments. Any binding terms would be subject to a definitive agreement following further negotiations.
The companies intend to collaborate on areas including fuel supply planning, technical interface requirements, commercial structuring, regulatory coordination, logistics considerations, and demand forecasting associated with future HALEU supply arrangements.
QNI, a member of the US Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) HALEU Consortium, develops integrated nuclear fuel cycle capabilities, will help CCTE secure a long-term, domestic supply of HALEU required for its advanced fuel technology. The agreement focuses heavily on supporting CCTE’s patented ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel technology, which blends thorium with HALEU.
ANEEL fuel maintains the exact external geometry of traditional fuel bundles used in pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) including Candu reactors. This design allows power plants to adopt the fuel without changing their reactor systems. The fuel achieves up to eight times higher burnup levels than traditional PHWR fuel, reducing the total volume of used nuclear waste generated per unit of energy.
This partnership builds several recent achievements by for CCTE Earlier in the year, CCTE concluded a multi-year high-burnup irradiation campaign of its ANEEL fuel at the Idaho National Laboratory’s Advanced Test Reactor. The tests surpassed a critical milestone of 60 GWd/MTU burnup, verifying the real-world performance, structural safety, and commercial readiness of the thorium-HALEU fuel cycle.
The companies will explore how domestically produced HALEU from QNI’s planned commercial reprocessing facility at INL could support the future commercial deployment of CCTE’s ANEEL fuel. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, and supporting US energy security and decarbonisation objectives.
“We are pleased to establish this agreement with QNI as we continue advancing the commercialisation of our ANEEL fuel technology,” said Mehul Shah, CCTE CEO. “Commercial deployment of advanced nuclear fuels depends not only on successful fuel development, but also on reliable access to the materials needed to manufacture them. As we move closer to commercialisation, establishing relationships with prospective domestic HALEU suppliers is an important step in preparing for future deployment.”
QNI CEO Dee Mewbourne noted: “Innovation in nuclear fuel is just as important as innovation in reactor technology. By working with Clean Core Thorium Energy, we are exploring ways to support advanced fuel concepts with a dependable domestic supply of HALEU, helping create new opportunities for the commercial deployment of nuclear energy.”
QNI is developing an integrated HALEU production capability in coordination with DOE and other key stakeholders. Its planned reprocessing facility at INL is being designed to produce up to 18 tonnes of HALEU a year at full capacity, supporting both commercial and government markets for advanced nuclear reactors. In June, QNI signed a major HALEU supply offtake framework with Natura Resources to fuel their planned molten salt research reactor. The company also formed a strategic partnership with Navarro Research & Engineering to scale up their nuclear operations and regulatory compliance capabilities.
