Thorizon partners with Curium and INSA Lyon to accelerate molten salt reactor development

Lyon, France – 5th June, Thorizon, a Franco-Dutch innovator in next-generation nuclear technology, has announced a new research collaboration with Curium and INSA Lyon to support the development of its 4th generation molten salt reactor, the Thorizon One. The project forms part of the project of international multisite platform on materials development for new nuclear technologies, based at INSA Lyon and Curium, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region which has a long history in gathering nuclear players.

The Thorizon One is an innovative nuclear reactor designed to produce decarbonised and competitive energy. To support this effort, Curium brings a deep 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 an 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. 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.

“Collaborating with CURIUM and MatéiS allows us to benefit from their unrivalled expertise in materials and corrosion testing. It gives us access to specialised testing capabilities and will be a key step in closing the gap between concept and commercial readiness” said Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon. “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.”

This collaboration gives Thorizon access to dedicated research spaces in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, allowing the company to expand its R&D efforts. 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 reactor’s most critical parts, laying the groundwork for commercialisation and broader deployment.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to support this innovative project with our infrastructure and know-how, focusing on the sustainable development of new generation nuclear reactors, such as the one developed by Thorizon,” said Stéphane Poncet, CEO of CURIUM. “The collaboration will strengthen Lyon’s position as a centre of excellence in sustainable technologies, and we are proud to support a project that aligns with France’s long-term energy ambitions.”

“Contributing our years of knowledge to a next-generation nuclear project is exactly the kind of applied research we are here to do,” said Bernard Normand, Director of MatéIS. “By working closely with Thorizon and CURIUM, we’re advancing both fundamental research and industrial innovation while contributing to the goal of low-carbon energy .”

This collaboration comes a year after Thorizon’s participation in the 7th Choose France Summit in 2024. In just one year, Thorizon has transformed its local footprint in France from a single employee into a multidisciplinary team of 25 employees, backed by national investment and strategic partnerships with academic institutions and private partners.

The Thorizon One project was also selected by the European Commission as part of the Industrial Alliance for Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and the French government under the France 2030 investment plan.

About Curium

Curium is a global leader in the management of chemical and radiological risks, offering services to support complex environmental projects and operations (inventory, characterization, diagnostics, decontamination, dismantling, management of hazardous waste, R&D innovation, project management and technical studies). Focused on innovation and sustainability, the company is involved in many R&D projects related to environmental issues.

Curium benefits from a laboratory authorized by the Nuclear Safety Authority for chemical and radiological characterization, and experimentation. It also implements on-site nuclear processes for cleaning and treating metals developed by its sister company Chimimeca, sharing skills with INSA Lyon laboratory Matéis. This historical link has allowed the common launch of a unique multisite platform in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to serve the development of new generation reactor projects.

About MatéIS and INSA Lyon

INSA Lyon is a five-year post-baccalaureate engineering school that awards 1,300 diplomas per year, with a total of 6,300 students distributed across a common core first cycle, 12 departments, and specialized Master's programs. Research is conducted by 22 laboratories, involving over 700 researchers and faculty members, approximately 600 doctoral students, and more than a thousand industrial contracts within the socio-economic sector. It is in this context that MatéiS laboratory operates.

MatéIS is a joint research unit comprising approximately 180 individuals, affiliated with INSA Lyon, CNRS, and Claude Bernard Université Lyon 1. It is a Materials Science laboratory at the intersection of several disciplinary fields, primarily in chemistry, physics, and mechanics. The laboratory studies the three classes of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers) and their composites, integrating characteristics in volume, surface, and interfaces both inside and outside the material.

About ANR OxyMore joint laboratory (MatéIS/Curium)

OxyMore is a joint laboratory supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR) that combines the expertise of Curium and MatéIS to develop alternative treatments for metal passivation. In this capacity, these two entities are developing shared knowledge aimed at improving the corrosion resistance of materials based on a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of corrosion initiation and propagation.