{{Short description|Nuclear energy company}} {{Multiple issues| {{Promotional|date=June 2025}} {{Notability|Companies|date=June 2025}} }} {{Infobox company | name = newcleo | logo = Newcleo.webp | logo_upright = | logo_alt = | type =Private | industry =Nuclear power, nuclear fuel | founded = September 2021 | hq_location =Paris, France | key_people =Stefano Buono (CEO and chairman), Luciano Cinotti (chief scientific officer), Elisabeth Rizzotti (chief operating officer, managing director Italy) | num_employees =~1,000 | website = {{URL|https://www.newcleo.com/}} }}
'''newcleo''' is a nuclear energy company founded in September 2021 to develop MOX fuelled, lead-cooled fast reactors.<ref name="1-88-indacosgr.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indacosgr.com/portfolio-item/newcleo/|title=newcleo}}</ref><ref name="41-66-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/analysis/getting-new-nuclear-off-the-ground/|title=Getting new nuclear off the ground|date=August 6, 2024}}</ref> As of the end of 2024, newcleo has raised over €537 million in capital.<ref name="3-4-startupbusiness.it-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.startupbusiness.it/en/newcleo-the-nuclear-scaleup-chooses-europe/142673/|title=Newcleo, the nuclear scaleup, chooses Europe|first=Emil|last=Abirascid|date=October 1, 2024}}</ref>
Headed by CEO and chairman Stefano Buono, the company is based in France, with further locations in Italy, UK, Switzerland, Belgium, and Slovakia, employing approximately 1,000 people.<ref name="4-39-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/Newcleo-focus-on-Europe-with-HQ-move-from-UK-to-France|title=Newcleo focuses on Europe with HQ move from UK to France|website=World Nuclear News}}</ref>
==History== {{Cleanup press release|section|date=June 2025}} In September 2021, Stefano Buono, Luciano Cinotti, and Elisabeth Rizzotti founded newcleo. The company acquired Hydromine Nuclear Energy, created in 2013 to design the LFR-AS-200 and LFR-TL-30 reactors,<ref name="11-11-aris.iaea.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://aris.iaea.org/PDF/Hydromine%20LFR-AS-200_2020|title=International Atomic Energy Agency. Advanced Reactor Information System (ARIS)}}{{Dead link|date=October 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and successfully raised €100 million in capital.<ref name="12-37-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/nuclear-technology-company-newcleo-acquires-hydromine-9051655/|title=Nuclear technology company Newcleo acquires Hydromine|date=September 2, 2021}}</ref><ref name="49-26-nuclearpowerdaily.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nuclearpowerdaily.com/reports/newcleo_powers_up_with_founding_capital_round_and_acquisition_of_Hydromine_Nuclear_Energy_999.html|title=newcleo powers up with founding capital round and acquisition of Hydromine Nuclear Energy|website=Nuclear Power Daily}}</ref> Six months later, the company entered into a technological partnership with ENEA, an Italian Government research agency, and raised another €300 million.<ref name="13-38-niauk.org-cit">{{Cite web |url=https://www.niauk.org/newcleo-announces-successful-close-of-e300-million-equity-raise/ |title=Newcleo announces successful close of €300 million equity raise |work=Nuclear Industry Association |date=20 June 2022 |last1=James |first1=Iolo |access-date=7 June 2025 |archive-date=9 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909125427/https://www.niauk.org/newcleo-announces-successful-close-of-e300-million-equity-raise/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="48-48-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Newcleo,-ENEA-to-cooperate-on-advanced-reactors|title=Newcleo, ENEA to cooperate on advanced reactors|website=World Nuclear News}}</ref>
During the Choose France summit in May 2023, the company announced plans for up to €3 billion in investments in France by 2030. The following month, newcleo was awarded funding as part of the France 2030 call for projects. In July, newcleo partnered with Fincantieri and RINA for a feasibility study for naval propulsion.<ref name="15-27-euronuclear.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.euronuclear.org/news/cea-and-newcleo-to-partner-on-generation-iv-reactors/|title=CEA and newcleo to Partner On Generation IV Reactors|first=Mattia|last=Baldoni|date=April 10, 2024}}</ref><ref name="16-98-rina.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rina.org/en/media/press/2023/07/25/newcleo-fincantieri-rina|title=newcleo, Fincantieri and RINA working together on feasibility study for nuclear naval propulsion - RINA.org|website=www.rina.org}}</ref> In October, the company acquired SRS-Fucina, which specialises in liquid lead systems. Additionally, a cooperation and an investment agreement were established with the Tosto Group.<ref name="50-88-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Newcleo-and-Tosto-Group-team-up-on-LFR-development|title=Newcleo and Tosto Group team up on LFR development|website=World Nuclear News}}</ref> The following month newcleo participated in the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) and entered partnerships with Assystem, Ingérop, and Onet.<ref name="17-98-reuters.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/nuclear-firm-newcleo-teams-up-with-assystem-ingerop-onet-technologies-2023-11-28/|title=Nuclear firm newcleo teams up with Assystem, Ingerop and Onet Technologies|website=Reuters |date=28 November 2023 }}</ref> In December, newcleo purchased the Rütschi Group, a nuclear pump manufacturer.<ref name="45-17-bakermckenzie.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bakermckenzie.com/en/newsroom/2023/08/rutschi-acquisition|title=Baker McKenzie advises newcleo in the acquisition of Rütschi | Newsroom|website=Baker McKenzie}}</ref><ref name="46-54-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newcleo-aquires-nuclear-pump-rtschi-group-11066896/|title=newcleo aquires [sic] nuclear pump Rütschi Group|date=August 10, 2023}}</ref> The company also launched its first experimental facility, known as CAPSULE.
In January 2024, newcleo signed an agreement with MAIRE for hydrogen and chemicals production. The same month, it also secured a contract with Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) to support its logistics needs.<ref name="19-69-nucleartransportsolutions.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://nucleartransportsolutions.com/2024/01/nts-to-carry-out-feasibility-studies-in-several-areas-of-nuclear-transport/|title=NTS to carry out feasibility studies in several areas of nuclear transport|first=Andrew|last=Butler|date=January 17, 2024|website=Nuclear Transport Solutions}}</ref><ref name="20-36-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Justification-sought-for-use-of-Newcleo-reactor-in|title=Justification sought for use of Newcleo reactor in the UK|website=World Nuclear News}}</ref> By April, newcleo had submitted its Regulatory Justification in the UK and formed a partnership with CEA, France's Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. The company also launched its second experimental facility, CORE-1.<ref name="20-36-world-nuclear-news.org-cit"/><ref name="43-77-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Newcleo-teams-up-with-CEA-on-reactor-development|title=Newcleo teams up with CEA on reactor development|website=World Nuclear News}}</ref><ref name="44-80-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newcleo-and-naarea-partner-to-support-fast-reactor-development-11445892/|title=Newcleo and NAAREA partner to support fast reactor development|date=January 18, 2024}}</ref> In May 2024, it joined the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors.<ref name="21-99-media.enea.it-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.media.enea.it/en/press-releases-and-news/years-archive/year-2024/energy-nuclear-enea-joins-european-alliance-for-small-reactors.html|title=Energy: Nuclear, ENEA joins European alliance for small reactors|date=July 11, 2024|website=Media ENEA}}</ref> In August, newcleo had signed a cooperation agreement with Slovak nuclear company VUJE to advance nuclear technology development.<ref name="54-70-world-nuclear-news.org-cit">{{Cite web |title=Newcleo expands cooperation with Slovakia |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/newcleo-expands-cooperation-with-slovakia |website=World Nuclear News}}</ref> In September 2024, the company entered into an agreement with Saipem to explore offshore applications. newcleo also relocated its holding headquarters from London to Paris.<ref name="22-43-power-technology.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.power-technology.com/news/saipem-newcleo-nuclear-partnership-offshore/|title=Saipem and Newcleo will jointly study offshore applications of nuclear technology|first=Alfie|last=Shaw|date=September 11, 2024}}</ref><ref name="3-4-startupbusiness.it-cit" /><ref name="51-58-offshore-mag.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.offshore-mag.com/business-briefs/equipment-engineering/news/55138455/saipem-saipem-considers-nuclear-energy-for-power-offshore|title=Saipem considers nuclear energy for power offshore|date=September 6, 2024|website=Offshore}}</ref> In October, newcleo's lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) was selected by the European Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors as one of the projects to receive support.<ref name="56-1-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/european-alliance-to-support-selected-smr-projects/|title=European Alliance to support selected SMR projects|date=October 16, 2024}}</ref> The company also announced more partnerships, on recycled nuclear fuel.<ref name="60-19-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/orano-launches-working-groups-for-advanced-reactors/|title=Orano launches working groups for advanced reactors|date=October 23, 2024}}</ref>
In January 2025, newcleo signed further agreements, with Slovakian nuclear companies JAVYS and VUJE. The first agreement, with JAVYS, outlines a joint venture (51% JAVYS, 49% newcleo) for the construction of up to four LFR-AS-200 reactors at Jaslovské Bohunice V1, as well as the development of a nuclear fuel supply chain. The project aims to integrate spent nuclear fuel recycling, supported by newcleo's planned fuel manufacturing facility in France, to reduce nuclear waste disposal needs. The second agreement, with VUJE, sets a framework for cooperation in developing LFR technology in Slovakia, with VUJE contributing its expertise in construction and commissioning, starting with feasibility studies.<ref name="66-12-powerengineeringint.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.powerengineeringint.com/nuclear/newcleo-partners-with-slovakian-companies-on-gen-iv-reactors/|title=newcleo partners with Slovakian companies on Gen IV reactors - Power Engineering International|work=Power Engineering International |date=17 January 2025 }}</ref> In February, newcleo has initiated the land acquisition process for its first LFR-AS-30 reactor in the Chinon Vienne et Loire community of municipalities in France, aiming to build a 30 MWe reactor by 2031.<ref name="67-53-neimagazine.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newcleo-initiates-land-acquisition-for-demonstration-smr/|title=Newcleo initiates land acquisition for SMR demo|author=Staff Writer|date=February 19, 2025}}</ref>
On 26 May, 2026, US-based company Oklo Inc. was selected by the US Department of Energy (DoE) for advanced talks to join the Surplus Plutonium Utilization Program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Patrick |date=2026-05-26 |title=Nuclear Energy Stock Breaks Out After DoE Nod - Schaeffer's Investment Research |url=https://www.schaeffersresearch.com/content/news/2026/05/26/nuclear-energy-stock-breaks-out-after-doe-nod |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=Schaeffers Investment Research |language=en}}</ref> The program converts designated surplus plutonium material into fuel for advanced reactors, and Oklo paired it with a partnership with newcleo that could bring up to $2 billion in project capital, subject to definitive agreements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duprey |first=Rich |date=2026-05-26 |title=Oklo Moves One Step Closer to Commercialization |url=https://247wallst.com/investing/2026/05/26/oklo-moves-one-step-closer-to-commercialization/ |access-date=2026-05-27 |website=24/7 Wall St. |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Technology== The reactors newcleo designs are small modular reactors (SMRs), which proponents hope to have cost and flexibility advantages over large conventional reactors. The coolant is liquid lead.
Newcleo plans to use mixed oxide fuel (MOX) to potentially reduce the need for new uranium mining while also managing long-lasting nuclear waste more effectively.<ref name="28-23-iaea.org-cit">{{Cite web |title=Lead-cooled Fast Reactors: an opportunity for closing the fuel cycle |url=https://www.iaea.org/sites/default/files/23/09/session_1_-_stefano_buono_final.pdf}}</ref><ref name="54-70-world-nuclear-news.org-cit"/> The strategy involves reprocessing spent nuclear fuel multiple times.<ref name="52-52-ft.com-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/f83d5468-9e3a-4a66-946a-3a46d1e5068d?countryCode=GBR&multistepRegForm=multistep|title=Innovations revive prospect of reprocessing nuclear fuel|first=Sarah|last=White|work=Financial Times |date=March 21, 2024}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=June 2025}}
Newcleo aims to produce its own MOX fuel.<ref name="57-92-world-nuclear.org-cit">{{Cite web|url=https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/fuel-recycling/mixed-oxide-fuel-mox|title=Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fuel - World Nuclear Association|website=world-nuclear.org}}</ref>
==See also== * Nuclear power * Nuclear reactor * Nuclear physics * Nuclear engineering
==References== <references/>
==External links== * [https://www.newcleo.com/ Official website]
Category:Nuclear organizations Category:Companies based in Paris Category:Nuclear fuel companies Category:2021 establishments