Wedoany.com Report-Aug. 22, BWXT Advanced Fuels, LLC has been established to commercialize advanced nuclear fuels, including TRISO, and to form partnerships for supplying commercial nuclear fuel to advanced reactor developers.

“BWXT Advanced Fuels focuses on ensuring the availability of BWXT-manufactured nuclear fuel on a commercial scale by leveraging its more than 20 years of experience manufacturing TRISO fuel at its Lynchburg facility,” BWX Technologies (BWXT) stated.

TRISO, short for tri-structural isotropic, consists of spherical uranium fuel kernels enclosed by layers of carbon and silicon carbide. This design provides containment for fission products and remains stable at very high temperatures, making it the preferred fuel for several advanced reactor designs under development.

“Given the significant investments, expertise and ready-to-manufacture capabilities in advanced nuclear fuels, BWXT is leaning in to lead fuel supply for multiple advanced reactor developers,” said Joe Miller, BWXT President for Government Operations.

Recently, BWXT completed the design and production of TRISO fuel for the U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office’s Pele program, aimed at developing, prototyping, and demonstrating transportable 1.5 MW gas-cooled reactors.

BWXT Advanced Fuels is led by Senior Director Josh Parker, who said the company is working to supply fuel for the first advanced reactors and to optimize the TRISO manufacturing process for the future. “We aim to drive down costs to meet the demand of industry and energy end-users,” Parker noted.

BWXT confirmed that TRISO fuel is being manufactured on a commercial scale and that the company is preparing for increased product deliveries to meet growing customer demand. The TRISO optimization program is located at the BWXT Innovation Campus in Lynchburg, Virginia.

To support market growth, BWXT is exploring opportunities to expand production capabilities through a new greenfield fabrication facility. This expansion aims to meet the rising demand for advanced nuclear fuels and support the deployment of advanced reactors globally.

The establishment of BWXT Advanced Fuels underscores the company’s commitment to providing reliable, scalable, and safe nuclear fuel solutions, combining decades of manufacturing experience with innovations in TRISO technology.

By leveraging its technical expertise and commercial production capacity, BWXT Advanced Fuels is positioning itself to become a key supplier in the emerging advanced reactor market, supporting energy security, low-carbon electricity generation, and the development of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Overall, the initiative represents a strategic step in scaling up advanced nuclear fuel production, ensuring supply readiness, and contributing to the broader adoption of advanced nuclear reactors in commercial energy and industrial applications.