Framatome has announced the launch of new industrialisation and development capabilities for TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic) fuel at its Romans-sur-Isère site in France. This marks a significant expansion of the company’s resources in France, with the installation of a pilot line dedicated to manufacturing various types of TRISO fuel for advanced reactor projects, including high-temperature reactors (HTR).
The new pilot line will focus on the production of TRISO fuel enriched up to 20%. This facility will enable the specification and qualification of TRISO fuel, as well as the associated manufacturing and quality control processes. The project is designed to pave the way for future industrialisation of TRISO fuel in France.
“We are proud to reinforce our expertise in France and support innovation in advanced nuclear fuels,” said Lionel Gaiffe, Senior Executive Vice President of the Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. “With more than 65 years of experience, Framatome is well positioned to develop TRISO fuel programmes tailored to the needs of our customers and partners, including start-ups.”
Within the scope of the French 2030 Innovative Nuclear Reactors project, Framatome and French start-up Blue Capsule Technology have signed an agreement to advance their cooperation, focusing on the qualification of TRISO fuel particles and the fabrication of specified fuel elements for their HTR reactors.
