Advanced Reactors: Framatome to Open a Pilot Line for TRISO Fuel in Romans-sur-Isère

Framatome is set to launch, at its site in Romans-sur-Isère in the Drôme region, the construction of new facilities dedicated to the industrialisation and development of TRISO fuel enriched up to 20% uranium-235. In parallel, an agreement has been signed with the company Blue Capsule to strengthen their cooperation on this same fuel technology.

This new facility will take the form of a pilot line designed to “define and qualify TRISO fuel as well as the associated manufacturing and control processes, and to prepare for its industrialisation in France,” the company explains. Framatome’s ambition is to equip itself with the infrastructure needed to meet the fuel requirements of all its clients developing advanced reactors.

This new project follows the company’s ongoing activities in the United States. In September 2025, Framatome announced the creation of a joint venture with Standard Nuclear to supply commercial quantities (estimated at 2 tonnes per year once operational) of TRISO fuel for American and international advanced reactors.

Reminder: What Is TRISO Fuel?

TRISO fuel (Tri-structural Isotropic) is specific to advanced reactor technologies, particularly high-temperature reactors (HTR). These are tiny spherical particles, no larger than a millimetre, made of layers of carbon and silicon carbide. They are exceptionally resistant both mechanically and thermally, ensuring the retention of fission products—even under accident conditions. TRISO uses HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium), meaning uranium enriched up to 20.0%.

A Cooperation Agreement with Blue Capsule

In parallel, Framatome also announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Blue Capsule as part of the Réacteurs Nucléaires Innovants 2030 programme. This cooperation focuses on qualifying the TRISO fuel particles intended for Blue Capsule’s reactors. It also includes the manufacture of associated specific fuel elements.

Blue Capsule is developing an AMR of the HTR type, cooled with sodium and capable of supplying very high-temperature heat (750°C). The company is thus primarily targeting the market for industrial heat.

“Our ambition with the HTR project: France and Europe, with their world-class nuclear industry, need a robust supply chain to successfully achieve their goals,” says Edouard Hourcade, President of Blue Capsule Technology. ■