France-based nuclear start-up newcleo has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Federbeton, the Italian industry federation of the cement and concrete supply chain, to explore newcleo’s technologies and potential synergies with the cement industry.
Newcleo says its lead-cooled advanced modular reactor design could play a strategic role in helping industry achieve carbon neutrality. In June, newcleo’s LFR-AS-200 small modular lead-cooled fast reactor was accepted to enter the UK’s Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process. Newcleo applied to the UK Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) for approval to enter the GDA in December 2024.
Newcleo said: “The cement industry is highly energy-intensive and produces essential, irreplaceable materials for socio-economic development. As such, it requires an energy supply that is not only sustainable but also stable and independent from potentially destabilising external factors.”
The two organisations will also explore opportunities for research and development in the field of high-performance construction materials, designed to meet the requirements of next-generation nuclear technologies.
The agreement follows other partnerships that newcleo has signed with key players in hard-to-abate sectors, including Danieli (for green steel production), Maire (for green chemistry plants), Fincantieri (for naval propulsion), and Saipem (for offshore nuclear platforms).
Since its establishment, newcleo has been very active in fundraising and signing partnership and collaboration agreements. Its business now counts over 90 partnerships, and more than 1,000 employees based in 19 locations across France, Italy, the UK, Switzerland, and Slovakia, including three manufacturing facilities.
Stefano Gallini, President of Federbeton, commented: “Our collaboration with newcleo offers a strategic opportunity to explore solutions that can support our sector in making meaningful progress on decarbonisation – putting innovation at the service of sustainability. The cement and concrete industries face major challenges, including the rising cost of energy and exposure to complex geopolitical dynamics. This is why we are closely evaluating new, sustainable technologies that are less vulnerable to external shocks.”
While newcleo’s website extol the virtues of the LFR, there is scant detail of the nuclear technology that will power the reactor, although there appears to be some progress on non-nuclear components of the design.
Currently, the only operating liquid metal-cooled fast reactors are in Russia, using sodium as the coolant. Russia is also constructing the world’s first ever lead-cooled SMR (Brest-OD-300). This reactor is based on decades of complex research and development supported by the entire Russian nuclear industry. It is due to begin operation in 2029. By contrast, newcleo’s technologies remain in the very early conceptual design stage.
