Thorizon enlists French expertise for corrosion tests

To support this effort, Curium brings its expertise in characterisation and experimentations with chemicals and radioactive materials, while MATEIS - a laboratory affiliated with INSA Lyon, CNRS and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University - benefits from international recognition in surface engineering and corrosion.

A major focus of the partnership is the development of corrosion tests for metals in contact with molten salt. Thorizon said these tests are essential for understanding how different materials interact with molten salts, an area of research that is critical for ensuring the safety and durability of reactor components.

As the project evolves, the collaboration will scale from material samples to testing of full sub-systems. These system-level trials will help confirm the performance and reliability of the Thorizon One reactor's most critical parts, laying the groundwork for commercialisation and broader deployment.

Thorizon said this collaboration gives it access to dedicated research spaces in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, allowing the company to expand its R&D efforts.

"Collaborating with Curium and MATEIS allows us to benefit from their unrivalled expertise in materials and corrosion testing," said Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers. "It gives us access to specialised testing capabilities and will be a key step in closing the gap between concept and commercial readiness. This is just the latest in our transformative journey in France, where we are committed to growing our footprint, deepening local partnerships, and strengthening our roots in Europe's energy future."

Thorizon - a spin-off from NRG, which operates the High Flux Reactor in Petten in the Netherlands - is developing a 250 MWt/100 MWe molten salt reactor, targeted at large industrial customers and utilities. The molten salt fuel adopted by Thorizon uses a combination of long-lived elements from reprocessed used nuclear fuel and thorium. The reactor will be able to recycle long-lived waste from existing nuclear facilities. The Thorizon One concept is unique in that the core is composed of a set of cartridges that is replaced every five to ten years. This, the company says, overcomes two molten salt design obstacles: material corrosion and handling of used fuel volumes.

The company says it is conducting pre-feasibility studies at three nuclear-designated sites in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, targeting construction by 2030.

Thorizon was selected in March 2024 by the French government to receive EUR10 million (USD11.4 million) in funding through the France 2030 national investment plan. Launched by President Emmanuel Macron in October 2021, the France 2030 re-industrialisation plan is endowed with EUR54 billion in funding schemes to be deployed over five years.