The first World Nuclear Supply Chain conference, held in Poland, heard from a succession of senior figures discussing the opportunities, and challenges, emerging from the forecast large-scale growth of nuclear energy capacity.
A strategic contract has been signed between the major French industrial players, the government and trade unions aimed at coordinating the country's nuclear industry for the planned life extension of current reactors and the construction of new ones.
Global supply chain spending by fusion companies increased by 73% in 2024 to USD434 million, compared with about USD250 million in 2023, according to the Fusion Industry Association. Spending is projected to grow by another 25% this year to USD543 million.
The Polish government expects a significant share of work on the country's first nuclear power plant to be awarded to local companies, but there are steps needing to be taken by the Polish supply chain, the World Nuclear Supply Chain conference in Warsaw heard.
Orano has begun serial production of ten 30B-10 cylinders designed for the transport of LEU+ - uranium hexafluoride enriched up to 10% uranium-235.
The supply chain must prepare itself both locally and globally for the expected rapid growth in nuclear generating capacity, delegates heard at the first conference organised by World Nuclear Association to bring participants in the sector together.
Memorandums of understanding signed with seven Bulgarian suppliers will support the project to build two AP1000 pressurised water reactor units at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site.
Following an earlier funding round, France's EDF and private equity specialist Siparex have announced a second round of funding to strengthen strategic companies in the country's nuclear supply chain.
Kazakhstan's national atomic company Kazatomprom has secured a credit facility for the construction of a new 800,000 tonnes per year sulphuric acid plant in Taikonur, in the Turkestan region.
Enel, Ansaldo Energia and Leonardo have signed the constitution for the establishment of Nuclitalia, a company that will be in charge of studying advanced technologies and analysing market opportunities in the new nuclear sector.