03 — materials
Small Nuclear Reactors
Modular clean energy for the 21st century
Overview
Small Modular Reactors represent the most significant innovation in nuclear energy in decades. Unlike traditional gigawatt-scale nuclear plants that require 15+ years and tens of billions to build, SMRs are factory-manufactured, scalable and deployable in 3-5 years at a fraction of the cost. REC 2 is positioning at the intersection of advanced materials science and nuclear energy development.
The materials challenges in SMR development are immense and fascinating: reactor pressure vessels require steels with extraordinary radiation resistance and fracture toughness; fuel cladding demands zirconium alloys with optimised neutron cross-sections; and heat exchangers need nickel alloys that maintain integrity at 700°C for decades. REC 2's advanced materials expertise makes us a natural partner for SMR developers.
Our SMR strategy focuses on materials qualification and supply, strategic investment in SMR developers, and the development of SMR-powered industrial complexes that provide clean baseload power to energy-intensive manufacturing including green hydrogen production and data centres.
Why REC 2 is investing here
01
SMR orders are accelerating globally — the UK, Canada, US and Poland have all committed to SMR programmes, with cumulative investment exceeding $20B.
02
Materials qualification is the critical path for SMR deployment, and REC 2's metallurgical expertise positions us as an essential supply chain partner.
03
SMR-powered hydrogen production is the most economical pathway to 24/7 green hydrogen — a market REC 2 is uniquely positioned to capture.
Key Applications
06 areasTeam