The Nuclear Company (TNC), which is committed to fleet-scale nuclear power in the US has signed a strategic agreement with steelmaker Nucor. The agreement aims to promote revitalisation of the US nuclear supply chain and grow American manufacturing.
TNC and Nucor will evaluate the promotion of steel materials and related manufacturing that meet the stringent American Society of Mechanical Engineers NQA-1 certification standard. The review process will also consider factors including energy infrastructure and the available workforce, to promote reinvestment in the US industrial asset base.
The partnership follows President Donald Trump’s series of Executive Orders calling for 400 GWe of nuclear reactors by 2050 to provide the baseload power required to lead the world in AI. The orders call for 10 large-scale reactors to be under construction by 2030, as well as strong investments in the American nuclear supply chain for materials, components and fuel.
“Nucor is dedicated to rebuilding American energy infrastructure to make it more resilient,” said Nucor Chair, President & CEO Leon Topalian. “Our work with The Nuclear Company will help us continue our long-term initiatives to repower the domestic energy sector, as well as reshore manufacturing to lessen American dependence on unreliable foreign global supply chains.”
According to a 2022 Department of Energy (DOE) report, the American nuclear supply chain lacks large forges for the production of gigawatt-scale reactor pressure vessels, with current production concentrated in Asia. A study by the World Nuclear Association found that the number of American facilities certified to produce commercial nuclear-grade components has decreased by more than 40% over the past three decades. During that time, the US built just two nuclear reactors while China has built 37 reactors in the past decade.
“America is at a critical point for power,” said TNC Co-Founder & CEO Jonathan Webb. “China is on the verge of becoming the world’s largest nuclear power producer, surpassing the United States, just as it did decades ago with manufacturing. Our partnership with Nucor will protect America’s national security, help achieve energy independence and create a more resilient economy.”
TNC, which emerged from stealth mode in 2024 and completed its Series A funding round in April, is evaluating sites to support a 6 GWe fleet of reactors. In July, TNC announced a major deal with military and surveillance company Palantir to build a software platform equipped with artificial intelligence to transform the construction of nuclear reactors into a predictable process, with the aim of enabling TNC to build plants faster and safer for less.
