West Valley City, Utah – September 17, 2026 -- Nusano has been selected by the National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a direct metallization production line for HALEU nuclear fuel capable of generating 5.9 metric tons per unit annually, with the first unit slated for 2031.
DOE selects Nusano for Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Program
The selection grants Nusano access to DOE authorization processes, national laboratory expertise, infrastructure and technical resources under the Launch Pad initiative, a federal program designed to move advanced nuclear technologies from concept to commercial deployment.
Nusano's process replaces fluorine gas with metallic uranium feedstock
Unlike conventional gas centrifuge enrichment, which spins uranium hexafluoride gas to concentrate uranium-235, Nusano converts uranium feedstock into metal before enrichment. Proprietary separation techniques then isolate uranium-235 from uranium-238 in a single enrichment pass, taking natural uranium to 19.75% enrichment without the UF6 conversion, deconversion and metallization steps required in centrifuge production.
Each production unit fits in 1,200 square feet
The compact footprint allows operators to add units incrementally as demand grows, with each unit expected to output 5.9 metric tons of HALEU annually once operational.
U.S. HALEU supply falls far short of projected 2035 demand
The Department of Energy estimates domestic demand for HALEU could reach 50 metric tons of uranium (MTU) per year by 2035, while current U.S. annual production remains below 1 MTU. HALEU, which carries higher uranium-235 content than fuel used in most existing reactors but stays below highly enriched uranium thresholds, is required by many small modular reactor (SMR) designs to achieve longer refueling cycles and higher power density in smaller footprints.
"Selection for Launch Pad signals Nusano's HALEU technology and team are ready to move forward," said Keith Titus, CEO of Nusano. "The review process considered each project's technical merit, operational readiness, and alignment with national strategic priorities."