Project IKE (USA) : Low-Enriched Uranium-235 production
<strong>Plan for your future uranium fuel supply</strong><strong> </strong>with up to a 10% enrichment from Orano’s U.S.-based, reliable, and secure Project IKE uranium enrichment facility development in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
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- Guarantee a domestic supply of uranium enriched from 3% to 10% U-235 (LEU), tailored to your entire reactor fleet.
- Secure the supply chain for U.S. nuclear operators in compliance with regulations banning Russian uranium imports starting in 2028.
- Anticipate the technological evolution of your reactor cores with LEU+ enrichment solutions designed for next-generation reactors.
- Support local economic development by creating an industrial center of excellence and high-skilled, good-paying jobs in Oak Ridge.
- Comply with the most stringent safety standards, backed by Orano’s international experience and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements.
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- Diversify your supply of enriched uranium through a trusted enrichment service, proven centrifuge technology and more than 40 years of experience reliably producing and delivering enriched uranium to fuel American reactors.
- Obtain the desired enrichment level through isotopic separation of UF₆, while maintaining full ownership of your material on U.S. soil.
- Reduce your logistical risks and transport lead times thanks to the establishment of a major production capacity site in the geographic center of American nuclear energy operations.
- Secure your long-term strategy with a longtime leading global operator
- Prepare your future fuel cycles through the immediate deployment of LEU+ capable capacities, already integrated into the design of Project IKE.
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- Strategic Investment: Project supported by $900 million in DOE funding to strengthen U.S. energy security.
- Oak Ridge Site: A future high-capacity facility located in Tennessee, designed as a multi-structure commercial production hub.
- State-of-the-Art Centrifuge Technology: Utilization of high-energy-efficiency ultracentrifugation, a global benchmark for reliability and environmental footprint.
- Implementation Timeline: NRC license application filing scheduled for the first half of 2026, launching a dynamic path toward rapid industrial startup by the early 2030s.
- Integrated Expertise: A dedicated team based in Oak Ridge, steering development, engineering, and certification processes.
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