NAAREA and Phoenix Manufacture collaborate on the industrialization of the XAMR reactor

The French company NAAREA has entered into a strategic partnership with Phoenix Manufacture, a Niort-based company specializing in precision engineering. The aim of the partnership is to industrialize the XAMR microreactor, a new type of nuclear energy source. The focus is on design, prototype development, initial series production and mass production. Among other things, 3D printing will be used as a key technology.

Phoenix Manufacture is contributing its expertise in the design and manufacture of complex mechanical systems for the industrial and defense sectors. The collaboration comprises several phases that will last until 2032. In the initial phase, the focus will be on validating materials and the feasibility of additively manufactured components. This will be followed by prototype development before the first series parts are manufactured. The long-term plan is to set up a joint production facility, which will also include recycling and reprocessing facilities.

“We have chosen to rely on the expertise and skill of Phoenix Manufacture, a French company that will contribute to the design of an XAMR® microreactor made in France. Incorporating additive manufacturing represents a major asset for us: it will allow us to produce parts with consistent quality controlled in situ at each step of the manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing also makes it possible to lower production costs, reduce assembly needs and meet the highest standards in terms of safety and security, which remains our absolute priority”, explained Jean-Luc Alexandre, Founder and CEO of NAAREA.

“We are proud of this strategic partnership with NAAREA, since additive manufacturing is at the heart of our vision for French reindustrialization. We firmly believe that this disruptive technology is profoundly transforming all industries, in particular the nuclear sector. In our collaboration with NAAREA, we share a common ambition: to become key agents of change. Together, we are creating positive momentum to strengthen sectors contributing to sovereignty and shape an ambitious technological future”, said Marco Calcamuggi, CEO and co-founder of Phoenix Manufacture.

This collaboration underlines the potential of 3D printing in nuclear technology. The integration of this innovative manufacturing method marks an important step towards increasing efficiency and ensuring industrial competitiveness.