Standard Nuclear First to Receive HALEU Feedstock for Production of TRISO Fuel to Support 2026 Reactor Demonstration

First load of TRISO to be used in Radiant reactor at Idaho National Laboratory

OAK RIDGE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Standard Nuclear, Inc., a reactor-agnostic producer of TRISO nuclear fuel, today announced it successfully received a critical shipment of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) feedstock at its facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee last month. This achievement establishes Standard Nuclear as the first company to both receive authorization by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and physically receive HALEU for production of advanced TRISO fuel, a key component for next-generation nuclear reactors.

The volume of material received is sufficient to produce a full core load of advanced nuclear fuel for the first reactor startup by Radiant, an advanced reactor developer, positioning Standard Nuclear to significantly contribute to the rapid deployment of new nuclear technology across the United States.

The HALEU feedstock, allotted to Radiant by DOE, will be processed by Standard Nuclear into robust TRISO fuel. This will facilitate Radiant’s advanced reactor demonstration scheduled for 2026. This effort directly delivers on the strategic priorities outlined in Executive Order 14031, which focuses on strengthening American critical supply chains, including nuclear energy.

“Receipt of this shipment of HALEU feedstock is a transformative moment, firmly entrenching Standard Nuclear’s position at the forefront of the advanced nuclear fuel supply chain,” said Kurt Terrani, CEO of Standard Nuclear. “We are proud to be the first company authorized by the DOE to take this step toward full-scale TRISO fuel production, which is essential for bringing US-made, reliable, and advanced nuclear power to the nation.”

Coordinated Logistics and Government Oversight

The HALEU material was safely and securely transported from Lynchburg, Virginia, following close coordination and expert management provided by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and its prime contractor, Consolidated Nuclear Services (CNS), which operates the Y-12 National Security Complex.

This project operates under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) executed between Standard Nuclear and the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office, which provides authorization for the company to receive and process the material into advanced nuclear fuel.

Standard Nuclear’s ability to process HALEU into TRISO fuel is a vital step in establishing a robust domestic supply chain necessary for realizing the energy security and reliability goals of the nation.

About Standard Nuclear
Standard Nuclear’s mission is to reliably deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power at scale—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world. Supported by leading U.S. defense technology and critical infrastructure investment firms, Standard Nuclear is focused on the large-scale production of advanced nuclear fuel and radioisotope power systems. It is the nation’s only independent manufacturer of TRISO fuel – a robust, high-performance fuel essential to advanced nuclear reactors for both terrestrial and space applications. Standard Nuclear offers a reactor-agnostic supply of advanced fuels to the next-generation nuclear industry and delivers dependable radioisotope power solutions to the space and defense sectors. Through these efforts, it is helping to eliminate U.S. reliance on geopolitical adversaries for these strategically vital technologies. For more information, visit: https://www.standardnuclear.com/

About the Fuel Line Pilot Program:
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched two transformative initiatives: the Reactor Pilot Program and the Fuel Line Pilot Program, designed to accelerate the construction, operation, and fueling of advanced nuclear reactors beyond traditional national laboratory settings.

Authorized under Executive Order 14301, the Reactor Pilot Program marks a historic shift in federal policy, enabling reactor testing and deployment on sites outside of national laboratories. This initiative is a cornerstone of the DOE’s commitment to reform and streamline processes that will unlock innovation and speed up the development of next-generation nuclear technologies.

Complementing this effort, the newly established Fuel Line Pilot Program—authorized under Executive Order 14299—addresses a critical national need: the lack of sufficient domestic nuclear fuel production capacity. By leveraging DOE’s unique authorization framework, the program will build and operate nuclear fuel production lines dedicated to research, development, and demonstration. This initiative not only supports the Reactor Pilot Program but also lays the foundation for a robust, secure, and scalable domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.

The Fuel Line Pilot Program will also serve as a fast-track pathway to commercial licensing, ensuring that promising reactor designs can move swiftly from concept to deployment. Together, these programs embody the DOE’s vision for a cleaner, safer, and more resilient energy future.

For more information, visit the https://www.energy.gov/ne/energy-department-fuel-line-pilot-program.