The nuclear energy sector faces persistent challenges, from handling long-lived radioactive waste to improving reactor safety and reducing operational costs. Thorizon, a Franco-Dutch deep-tech startup, is tackling these issues with its innovative molten salt reactor (MSR) technology, designed to process nuclear waste efficiently while enhancing safety and affordability.
€20M Funding to Advance Molten Salt Reactor Development
Thorizon has successfully raised €20 million to propel the development of its small modular molten salt reactor, Thorizon One. This funding includes €16 million from its Series A round, led by the Dutch National Promotional Institution, Invest-NL, and supported by an InvestEU guarantee from the European Commission. Additional investors include Positron Ventures, PDENH, and Impuls Zeeland.
Furthermore, Thorizon secured a €4 million grant from the Dutch Province of Noord-Brabant, in collaboration with VDL Groep and Demcon. These investments follow a €10 million grant awarded in 2024 through France’s 2030 Innovative Reactor Program. With previous funding rounds, the company has now accumulated €42.5 million to drive the commercialization of its pioneering nuclear technology. Although the latest valuation remains undisclosed, this milestone marks a crucial step toward achieving its Series A target.
Developing Thorizon One: A Game-Changing Nuclear Reactor
Thorizon is channeling the capital into prototyping and demonstrating its revolutionary “cartridge” fuel system. This system enables the reactor to safely and cost-effectively generate power by recycling nuclear waste. The company is also refining the reactor’s basic design, advancing regulatory approvals, and developing key components, with the goal of beginning construction in 2030.
Thorizon One is designed to deliver 250 MWt of industrial heat or generate 100 MWe of electricity, making it a versatile solution for both industrial and power generation applications. The reactor’s unique technology addresses two major issues: reducing nuclear waste and producing carbon-free energy.
A Step Toward the Future of Clean Nuclear Energy
Founded in 2018 by Lucas Pool and Sander de Groot as a spin-off from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), Thorizon aims to revolutionize nuclear energy in Europe. The company sees small modular reactors (SMRs) as a crucial component of a sustainable energy mix, complementing wind and solar power.
CEO Kiki Lauwers emphasizes Thorizon’s mission: “We are committed to driving nuclear innovation in Europe, enhancing energy security, and reducing carbon emissions by utilizing long-lived nuclear waste as fuel. We invite strategic partners to join us in making Europe’s first molten salt reactor a reality.”
How Thorizon One Stands Out
Thorizon One sets itself apart with a unique cartridge-based fuel system and advanced salt-based reactor technology. Unlike traditional nuclear plants, this system improves safety, lowers costs, and accelerates deployment. The reactor’s cartridge is designed to be replaced every 5-10 years, with containment materials already qualified for nuclear use. This modular approach simplifies transportation and fuel handling, making nuclear energy more accessible and scalable.
Currently, Thorizon employs 50 engineers across Amsterdam and Lyon, collaborating with industry leaders like Orano for fuel development, Tractebel for engineering, and VDL Groep for prototype construction. Additionally, EDF and EPZ are aiding in operational planning.
Regulatory and Future Development Plans
Thorizon is working closely with Dutch and French nuclear safety agencies (ANVS and ASN) on a preparatory review of its reactor design. This review will facilitate pre-license applications expected in 2025, paving the way for reactor deployment by 2032. The company is evaluating three potential construction sites in France and the Benelux region.
Lauwers outlines Thorizon’s roadmap: “Over the next few years, we will focus on prototyping and demonstrating our cartridge fuel system, finalizing reactor design, and advancing regulatory approvals. Strategic partnerships and feasibility studies at nuclear-designated sites in France and the Benelux will lay the groundwork for our first reactor, set to begin construction by 2030.”
Pioneering Europe’s Next-Generation Nuclear Energy
With robust backing from the France 2030 program, the EU Industrial Alliance on SMRs, and investors like Invest-NL, Thorizon is positioned as a frontrunner in Europe’s nuclear energy landscape. By leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform nuclear waste into a sustainable energy source, the company is paving the way for a cleaner and more secure energy future.
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