Framatome projects funded as part of France Relance recovery plan

April 16, 2021 – Framatome projects were selected to receive funding as part of the France Relance recovery plan. Barbara Pompili, Minister of Ecological Transition, Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery, and Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery, in charge of Industry, announced the first funding recipients as part of the signing of the amendment to the strategic contract for the French nuclear sector.

The Framatome projects selected are focused on investing in new activities and modernizing the nuclear energy industry. Funding from the France Relance plan will support projects at the company’s nuclear fuel and component manufacturing facilities across the country.

“We are pleased with the support provided by France Relance for the Framatome’s industrial development and innovation projects.” said Bernard Fontana, CEO of Framatome. “Our ambition is to strengthen Framatome’s position as a reference in the nuclear industry in France and on the international market.”

Framatome submitted application files to accelerate investment projects in its businesses. Framatome also participated in a consortium of projects with other companies receiving funding.

The project known as FAB-ATF, focuses on developing and qualifying new manufacturing capacity for fabricating accident tolerant fuel (ATF). This fuel is designed to strengthen safety margins and operational performance of nuclear power plants. Significant investments are planned at Framatome's production sites in Paimboeuf and Romans-sur-Isère to develop industrial capacity to serve the French nuclear fleet and customers worldwide, thus strengthening Framatome and the French nuclear industry’s ability to export this fuel technology. In addition, Framatome and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), with whom the concept was developed, will conduct tests on irradiated materials to qualify ATF for use in France.

The project named CAP INDUSTRIEL, aims to modernize and scale up production, quality control and compliance of the mechanical parts needed to construct the latest generation of nuclear reactors and modernize and extend operations of those currently in service around the world. CAP INDUSTRIEL is supported by the Saint-Marcel and Le Creusot factories.

The FRENCH FAB Métallurgie project aims to heighten regulatory controls and enhance the manufacture of large-scale nuclear forgings at the Framatome site in Le Creusot. With support of three laboratories, Framatome is bringing innovations to the manufacturing process for steel parts weighing dozens of tons. Its partners carry out metallurgical studies and develop simulation software, using new measurement tools such as infrared cameras and 3D scans.

Corys, a subsidiary of Framatome, received support from France Relance through the ICAREx project. With support from EDF, the ICAREx project focuses on building virtual reality digital twins of new nuclear reactors.

Each year, Framatome invests more than 200 million euros in its facilities and recruits about 1,000 new employees. These investments support local economic activity and Framatome’s goal to be a worldwide leader in nuclear energy.