US Joint Venture Formed to Scale TRISO Fuel for Advanced Reactors

US Joint Venture Formed to Scale TRISO Fuel for Advanced Reactors
by Clarence Oxford
Richland WA (SPX) Oct 01, 2025

Framatome and Standard Nuclear Inc. have launched a new joint venture to produce Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel at commercial scale, reinforcing U.S. and Western supply chains for advanced reactor technologies.

The venture, Standard Nuclear-Framatome (SNF), will be overseen by a joint board of directors and combine Framatome's established fuel cycle infrastructure with Standard Nuclear's expertise in TRISO particle manufacturing. Together, they will deliver finished TRISO-based products designed to serve advanced reactor developers, including small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors.

"Pairing Standard Nuclear's pioneering technology and full-scale pilot facility with our deep-rooted manufacturing expertise and scalable capacity has ignited a shared momentum," said Tony Robinson, CEO of Framatome, Inc. "This isn't just collaboration - it's a shared vision and capability for the future of our industry to develop advanced reactor fuel on a commercial scale to support advanced reactor developers."

The partnership intends to begin with production of 2 metric tons of TRISO fuel annually, a major step up from today's limited output. According to the companies, this volume will help meet rising demand for next-generation nuclear reactors in the U.S. and abroad.

"This strategic partnership with Framatome marks a pivotal moment in establishing a robust, domestic TRISO fuel supply chain," said Kurt Terrani, CEO of Standard Nuclear. "By combining Framatome's proven infrastructure and expertise with Standard Nuclear's manufacturing capabilities, we're creating a powerful alliance that will deliver the high-quality TRISO fuel needed to power the next generation of advanced reactors. This joint venture reinforces our commitment to serving as America's leading advanced nuclear fuel supplier while strengthening the Western world's energy security through reliable, reactor-agnostic fuel production."

The partners submitted a 10 CFR Part 70 License amendment in September 2024 for Framatome's Richland, Washington, manufacturing facility. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has accepted the application, with approval expected by spring 2026. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027, subject to regulatory clearance.

Standard Nuclear remains the only independent U.S. developer of TRISO fuel. This uranium-based fuel, encased in ceramic and carbon layers, can withstand extreme heat and is a key enabler for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors and other emerging advanced designs.