Italian cement manufacturers to evaluate Newcleo reactors
France-headquartered innovative reactor developer Newcleo has signed a memorandum of understanding with Federbeton, the Italian cement association, to explore Newcleo's technologies and potential synergies with the cement industry.
Newcleo says the lead-cooled advanced modular reactors it is developing will offer carbon-free energy and could play a strategic role in helping industry achieve carbon neutrality. The cement industry, it notes, 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.
Through the memorandum of understanding, Newcleo and Federbeton 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 between Newcleo and Federbeton confirms the industry's strong commitment to achieving climate neutrality," the partners said. "This collaboration addresses the dual challenge of decarbonisation and energy efficiency, while positioning the Italian construction materials industry at the forefront of sustainable industrial innovation."
The agreement with Federbeton follows other partnerships that Newcleo has signed with key players in hard-to-abate sectors, including Danieli (for green steel production), Maire (for green chemical plants), Fincantieri (for naval propulsion), and Saipem (for offshore nuclear platforms).
"This partnership with Federbeton represents another important step in our strategy to support the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries," said Newcleo CEO Stefano Buono. "We aim to provide the cement and concrete sector with a safe, sustainable, and affordable decarbonisation pathway. With our combined solutions for electricity and industrial heat, we can help ensure the long-term competitiveness of the sector while supporting Italy's industrial development in a complex geopolitical landscape."
Federbeton President Stefano Gallini added: "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."
According to Newcleo's delivery roadmap, the first non-nuclear precursor prototype of its lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) is expected to be ready by 2026 in Italy, the first reactor operational in France by the end of 2031, while the final investment decision for the first commercial power plant is expected around 2029.
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