One Supply Chain for Advanced Nuclear Tech and Fuel Solutions

Three energy companies teamed up to find a reliable way to recycle old nuclear fuel. Curio, NuScale Power Corporation, and Framatome Inc. signed an agreement to test a new method to power next-generation reactors.

Right now, we need a steady, secure supply of fuel to meet growing demand, and the current process creates waste. Curio has a system called NuCycle that takes used nuclear fuel and recovers materials we can use again. This process can cut leftover waste volumes by up to 97%. Now, the three companies will study how to turn these recovered materials into fresh products and fuel.

“America’s ability to lead the next era of nuclear energy will depend on more than building reactors—it will require building the fuel cycle infrastructure needed to support them,” Ed McGinnis, CEO of Curio, explained. “This collaboration brings together leaders in fuel recycling, fuel development, and advanced reactor deployment to evaluate innovative pathways that could strengthen domestic and international energy security, enhance fuel supply resilience, and unlock greater value from existing nuclear materials. By connecting these critical elements of the nuclear value chain, we are helping lay the foundation for a future of clean, sustainable energy.”

Testing the Nuclear Supply Chain

This partnership is a key step toward keeping the power grid running without interruptions. The companies plan to run technical tests and supply chain studies to see how this will work.

“Advancing the next generation of nuclear energy demands bold innovation and strong alignment across the entire fuel cycle. At Framatome, we are committed to working with partners who share that vision and support efforts to strengthen America’s nuclear infrastructure,” Tony Robinson, Framatome Inc. President and CEO, added. “This collaboration represents the kind of forward-looking, integrated approach needed to unlock new fuel technologies, and ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear power.”

NuScale holds the only small modular reactor (SMR) design approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

“With the most near-term deployable SMR technology, NuScale has long recognized that the nuclear industry requires a strong, reliable, sustainable frontend and backend fuel supply to meet increasing demand,” John Hopkins, President and CEO of NuScale Power, noted. “We are pleased to work alongside our partners Curio and Framatome to leverage our complementary capabilities, including NuScale’s position as the only SMR to have received U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission design approval, to help advance a more resilient and integrated nuclear fuel cycle for off-takers in the United States and internationally.”

If the initial studies go well, this agreement could lead to commercial deals that make carbon-free power much more reliable in the future.