Wedoany.com Report-Nov. 28, Thorizon, a Dutch developer of molten salt reactor technology, has secured wide-ranging industrial and regional backing in the Netherlands for its Thorizon Pioneer project, a non-commercial nuclear demonstrator designed to validate next-generation molten salt reactor (MSR) technology.

The commitment was formalised through an Ambition Agreement signed at the Made for Nuclear event. The partnership includes major Dutch companies such as VDL Groep, nuclear operator EPZ, and engineering firm Haskoning, alongside universities, research institutes, manufacturers, energy firms, and high-tech service providers. Several Dutch provinces have pledged support and are evaluating potential host sites for the demonstrator, as well as opportunities to create an associated innovation and testing hub for materials and components.

The Thorizon Pioneer will be a scaled-down facility focused on proving the reactor core design without electricity generation. Once operational, it will be the first molten salt nuclear installation in Europe, enabling extensive research, component qualification, and supply-chain development.

Thorizon CEO Kiki Lauwers said: "The Netherlands has a great and entrepreneurial manufacturing and services industry, skills we intend to combine with the R&D expertise and manufacturing expertise in nuclear. We can build on the knowledge of the Pallas medical isotope reactor and ongoing research at TU Delft and Differ. We hope to continue the strong cooperation in Europe to make this project a success and thank our partners and the provinces involved for this opportunity."

The project is advancing toward European licensing through a joint preparatory safety review involving nuclear regulators from the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Site selection is the next key milestone, with preference given to locations already authorised for research reactor activities.

Thorizon, a spin-off from NRG (operator of the High Flux Reactor in Petten), is developing a 250 MWt / 100 MWe molten salt reactor concept that uses a mix of reprocessed long-lived nuclear material and thorium. The design features replaceable core cartridges exchanged every five to ten years, addressing material durability and fuel-management challenges typical of molten salt systems.

Financing for the Pioneer demonstrator will combine private investment with public funding. Backers include Positron Ventures, Invest-NL, regional development agencies of Zeeland and North Holland, grants from the French government, the European Commission’s Joint Transition Fund in Zeeland, and the Province of Brabant. The initiative is also recognised as a priority within the EU SMR Alliance.

Thorizon is currently conducting pre-feasibility studies at designated nuclear sites in the Netherlands, France, and Belgium, with the goal of beginning construction of a full-scale reactor by 2030.