Photo courtesy of Nucor Corp.
The Nuclear Co., based in Columbia, South Carolina, has reached a strategic agreement with Nucor Corp., the largest recycled-content steelmaker in North America, to promote the revitalization of the nuclear power supply chain in the United States and "build on a shared vision by both companies to grow American manufacturing.”
Nuclear Co. seeks to deploy gigawatt-scale nuclear power in the U.S. For steelmaker Nucor, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the venture could mark a return of sorts to its roots as the Nuclear Corp. of America, when former automaker REO acquired a shell company by that name.
“Nucor is dedicated to rebuilding American energy infrastructure to make it more resilient,” Nucor President ane CEO Leon Topalian says. “Our work with The Nuclear Co. will help us continue our long-term initiatives to repower the domestic energy sector, as well as reshore manufacturing to lessen American dependence on unreliable foreign global supply chains.”
The Nuclear Co. says it will collaborate with Nucor to evaluate the promotion of steel materials and related manufacturing that meet the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA)-1 certification standard.
The review process will consider factors including energy infrastructure and workforce availability “to promote reinvestment in the industrial asset base that has long made America the world’s manufacturing leader,” according to The Nuclear Co.
The partnership is tied to a series of President Donald Trump’s executive orders calling for 400 gigawatts of nuclear reactors to be in place by 2050. The orders also call “strong investments in the American nuclear supply chain for materials, components and fuel,” the company says.
The Nuclear Co. cites a 2022 report by the U.S. Department of Energy that found the U.S. nuclear supply chain lacks large forges for the production of gigawatt-scale reactor pressure vessels, with current production concentrated in Asia.
A study by the World Nuclear Association also found that the number of U.S. facilities certified to produce commercial nuclear-grade components has decreased by more than 40 percent over the past three decades.
Over that same time frame, the U.S. started and built two nuclear reactors while in China, 37 reactors have been built in the past decade alone, The Nuclear Co. says.
“America is at a critical point for power,” Nuclear Co. co-founder and CEO Jonathan Webb says. “Our partnership with Nucor will protect America’s national security, help achieve energy independence and create a more resilient economy.”
The Nuclear Co. focuses on integrating proven, licensed reactor technologies with digital innovation and advanced project management designed to streamline deployment and deliver on-time, on-budget nuclear power.