Newcleo to Build a Training and Innovation Hub in the Gard Region

The Franco-Italian company Newcleo has acquired land in the Gard region, where it will build a training and innovation center—without any nuclear materials. This facility will be dedicated to accelerating the development of its pilot fuel manufacturing line.

On 13 March 2025, Newcleo, which is developing an Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR), announced the acquisition of a site in Chusclan, Gard. Reinforcing its partly Italian heritage, the company has commissioned Italian design firm Pininfarina to construct its Faster (Fuel process Assembly Storage Training and Enhanced Reality) center. Dedicated to innovation, training, and skills development, the center will support the advancement of Newcleo’s future fuel assembly manufacturing plant. Importantly, it will not handle any nuclear materials.

A Training Ground for Future Operations

“The acquisition of this site marks a significant step forward in our strategic roadmap. This innovation and training center (…) will play a crucial role in preparing for and anticipating operations at our future pilot fuel manufacturing line. The center will integrate multiple functions—training, prefabrication, and storage—creating an immersive ‘test and learn’ environment. This will enhance the expertise of our teams and partners,” said Stefano Buono, founder and CEO of Newcleo.

Faster will consist of three main units:

• Engineering and maintenance spaces, including office facilities for on-site teams (100 employees).
• Advanced training infrastructure, featuring virtual and augmented reality-equipped rooms, simulators, and a dedicated workshop with equipment mock-ups.
• Development and qualification workshops, designed to test and optimize manufacturing processes using cutting-edge technologies such as 3D printing, all within a high-tech environment focused on innovation and precision engineering.

Project Progress Update

Newcleo was among the first two winners of the “Innovative Nuclear Reactors” call for projects under the France 2030 investment plan. The company is developing a 200 MWe Generation IV Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR), cooled with liquid lead and fueled by recycled nuclear materials.

Currently, Newcleo is working on its first conceptual model, the LFR AS-30, a 30 MWe prototype that will serve as an industrial demonstrator by the end of 2031. In line with this effort, the company announced in February 2025 that it had launched a land acquisition process in Indre-et-Loire, near the Chinon nuclear power plant.

Additionally, since September 2023, Newcleo has been in discussions with the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) regarding the development of its MOX (Mixed Oxide) fuel production plant to meet its future fuel supply needs. As part of this process, the company submitted its safety options report in December 2024. ■