Thorizon, an Amsterdam-based spin-off from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), has announced a €10M funding boost from the French government to develop Thorizon One, a molten salt reactor.
This initiative places Thorizon among the select startups included in France’s nuclear innovation program, France 2030, granting access to nuclear research expertise, European legislation, and business development resources.
Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon, expressed pride in being part of the exclusive group supported by the French government, highlighting the recognition of their facility’s design as both scientifically and economically viable. “Only two of those startups have been founded outside of France, Newcleo and Thorizon,” Lauwers noted, emphasizing the importance of Thorizon’s presence in France, especially in collaboration with Orano, a leader in nuclear materials recycling.
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Advancing Circular Nuclear Energy
With the French government’s subsidy, Thorizon aims to accelerate the development of a small modular reactor based on molten salt technology, utilizing nuclear waste from conventional plants as a key fuel source. This approach not only aims to make nuclear energy more circular but also to provide clean energy to 250,000 households.
Partnerships with industry giants like Orano, CEA, Oakridge, Tractebel, NRGIPALLAS, and Differ is set to develop a sustainable, cost-effective, and safe modular facility that operates on molten salt and is capable of handling high temperatures under low pressure, preventing radioactive material leaks.
Mission and Innovation
Founded in 2018 by Sander de Groot and Lucas Pool, the firm is dedicated to developing a molten salt reactor that is rapidly realizable, “walk-away safe,” and takes a significant step towards circularity by using long-lived nuclear waste as fuel. The Thorizon One modular reactor aims to transform nuclear waste into carbon-free energy, featuring a core of replaceable ‘cartridges’ to facilitate innovation and reduce long-lived radioactive waste while generating 250MW of clean energy.
Lauwers added, “In addition to being safe and circular, the spin-off’s facility is also ‘smart.’ Our design is unique due to the use of replaceable cartridges in the reactor core, allowing us to quickly start the realization of the reactor and contribute to the energy transition in the short term.”
This funding and inclusion in France 2030 underscore the startups commitment to advancing circular nuclear energy solutions, marking a significant step towards sustainable and clean energy provision for future generations.
