New nuclear fuel plan explores turning depleted uranium into reactor power

Depleted uranium, a by-product of uranium enrichment, could become fuel for future molten salt reactors under a new cooperation agreement exploring more efficient use of nuclear materials.

European reactor developer Thorizon and uranium enrichment supplier Urenco have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to examine fuel supply options for reactors targeted for deployment in the mid-2030s.

Their work includes exploring enriched uranium supplies and investigating whether depleted uranium could fuel later reactors.

The agreement connects reactor development with efforts to establish an advanced fuel supply chain. Urenco’s planned Advanced Fuels Facility at Capenhurst in the UK is expected to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, from 2031.

Preparing molten salt fuel supplies

Thorizon’s first Thorizon One reactors require HALEU in molten salt form. The design uses molten salt as both fuel and coolant and aims to provide reliable, carbon-free electricity and industrial heat while improving the use of nuclear materials.

The companies plan to examine Urenco’s potential contribution to that supply chain, including enrichment services and opportunities to improve uranium utilization throughout the fuel cycle.

“Building the fuel supply chain is as critical as developing the reactor itself. Urenco brings decades of expertise in uranium enrichment and is investing now in the advanced fuels Europe’s next generation of reactors will need. Combining these capabilities with innovation in molten salt fuels can help build a strong European fuel cycle for advanced nuclear,” said Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon.

For the developer, the agreement forms part of a broader effort to assemble the industrial network needed for deployment, bringing together fuel suppliers, nuclear operators, research organizations and industrial companies.

Exploring depleted uranium’s potential

Alongside supplies for the first reactors, the collaboration examines whether depleted uranium could serve as fuel for future Thorizon designs.

That possibility remains under investigation. The agreement identifies a potential use for an existing enrichment by-product rather than confirming that it is ready for reactor deployment.

If viable, the approach could extract additional value from available uranium resources and support a more efficient nuclear fuel cycle.

The investigation comes as demand for nuclear fuel rises and global nuclear capacity expands.

Urenco is adding 4.6 million SWU of enrichment capacity across its international sites to strengthen supply for existing and prospective customers. Further expansion plans depend on continued market demand.

Connecting fuel production with reactor development

Urenco’s advanced fuel activities include both LEU+ and HALEU for next-generation reactors. The proposed cooperation explores how those capabilities could support molten-salt-supplied fuel.

“Thorizon’s molten salt technology creates an opportunity to utilize HALEU in a different form, and Urenco is at the forefront of advanced fuels production in the Western World,” said Laurent Odeh, Urenco’s Chief Commercial Officer.

“Combining innovation in fuels and reactor technology could support the commercial deployment of Thorizon’s reactors and others requiring molten salt solutions,” he added.

The MoU sets out a framework for explore these opportunities. Its scope covers potential enrichment services, molten salt fuel supply arrangements, and better uranium utilization as preparations continue toward the first reactors’ targeted mid-2030s deployment.