The European Commission has announced that Thorizon One, a molten salt reactor developed by the Franco-Dutch scale-up Thorizon, has been selected by the EU Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Thorizon One reactor delivers 100 MW of flexible energy - enough to power 250,000 households or a data center - and can supply industrial heat at 550°C, all while using long-lived nuclear waste elements as its fuel source.

A Strong Vote of Confidence from Europe

The selection of Thorizon One is a significant endorsement for the company, as the project was one of nine chosen from 22 submissions. Notably, it is the first molten salt reactor design included, standing alongside two other Gen IV reactor projects: one led by newcleo and another by a consortium of SCK CEN and Ansaldo Nucleare. Additionally, six SMR designs based on existing Gen III large water reactor technology, including Nuward (EDF), Rolls-Royce SMR, and NuScale VOYGR™, were also selected. 
These selected projects will receive support from the Alliance's Technical Working Groups, which focus on key areas such as Fuel, Research & Development, Nuclear Safety, Supply Chain, and Financing.

Unlocking the Potential of Molten Salt: The Most Sustainable Nuclear Technology

Thorizon aims to play a pivotal role in Europe's energy transition, with a vision to have the first operational molten salt reactor in Europe by 2032. This reactor will provide local, flexible, and clean energy while enhancing sustainability and public acceptance of nuclear power. Molten salt reactors are recognized as game-changers by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their benefits in industrial heat supply, inherent safety—which can reduce costs—and fuel circularity, surpassing other nuclear technologies.

Though the concept was demonstrated in the U.S. in the 1960s, molten salt reactors have yet to be commercialized. Thorizon is leading the charge by developing a modular reactor core with exchangeable molten salt fuel cartridges, overcoming traditional challenges such as corrosion and fuel transport.

A European Project Combining Nuclear Expertise and High-Tech Innovation

Thorizon, spin-off from Dutch nuclear institute NRG, is building a European supply chain around molten salt reactors. The company leverages the long-standing nuclear technology expertise and regulatory know-how of established companies while partnering with high-tech manufacturers skilled in scaling advanced products. Key partners include Orano, the recognized international group with a unique expertise in the field of nuclear materials valorisation, which intends to develop fuel for molten salt reactors. Tractebel, a global engineering and consulting company in the nuclear sector, is supporting Thorizon's development, and nuclear operators like EDF, global leader in low-carbon energy, and EPZ, operator of the Dutch Borssele plant are supporting the project and providing operator expertise early on. VDL Groep, large industrial and a key supplier to ASML, is a strategic partner in the prototyping program and other high-tech manufacturing and engineering companies involved at this stage are Boccard, Brabetech, Demcon, Delmeco, NEM Energy, Oakridge and Schelde Exotech.

Kiki Lauwers CEO of Thorizon adds: "We are very proud that our project has received this special endorsement from the European Commission, and we are excited that the benefits of molten salt reactor technology are being recognized. This project has the potential not only to provide clean energy but also to bring to market a new generation of reactors that are more sustainable, intrinsically safe, and can be realized at competitive costs. We would like to thank the Alliance for their support and look forward to working together with different partners and working groups to maximize the opportunity to develop this new European technology together."

About the EU Industrial SMR Alliance

The Alliance aims to facilitate and accelerate the development, demonstration, and deployment of the first SMRs projects in Europe in the early 2030s. It operates through specific working groups to improve enabling conditions for SMRs development, demonstration and deployment including the revitalisation of the nuclear supply chain. Its activities aim to support specific SMR projects and accelerate their deployment on the European market. For more information about the Alliance, you can visit https:single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/industry/industrial-alliances/european-industrial-alliance-small-modular-reactors_en. 

About Thorizon

Thorizon has rapidly evolved from a spin-off of NRG (Dutch Nuclear Research Institute) into an ambitious deep-tech startup, with offices in Amsterdam and Lyon. The company views small modular nuclear reactors as an ideal, stable, and clean contributor to an energy system where wind and solar are the other important sources. The ambition is to develop a reactor based on molten salt that can be realized rapidly and smartly, is 'walk-away' safe, and takes a first step towards circularity by using long-lived nuclear waste as a fuel source. Thorizon is working to further strengthen its financial position to be able to build a non-nuclear molten salt demonstrator in the short term and finalize the detailed design to start building a first-of-a-kind reactor by 2030: the Thorizon One. Thorizon partners with industry leaders like Orano, Tractebel and EDF to advance its design and is a laureate in the France 2030 investment plan for innovative nuclear reactors. The Thorizon One is currently under preparatory review by the nuclear regulators of France and the Netherlands.

For more information about Thorizon, you can visit www.thorizon.com.

Notes for the editorial team, NOT for publication:

For more information about this press release, the involved parties, and underlying developments, please contact Antonin Rat, info@thorizon.com, +33 6 82 72 40 93

Thorizon is funded by the French State under the France 2030 plan.