Eindhoven launches test site for reactor that turns nuclear waste into fuel

European Climate and Green Growth Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra on Monday launched construction of a test facility for a new compact nuclear reactor at the High Tech Campus in Eindhovent that will transform nuclear waste into fuel, with an aim of advancing Europe’s energy independence.

The total cost of the test project is 8 million euros, half of which is funded by the province of Noord-Brabant. The reactor under development, named Thorizon One, is planned to become the first commercial molten-salt reactor in Europe and is presented as a step toward more stable, reliable and low-carbon energy production.

The project involves Dutch industrial companies VDL and DEMCON from Noord-Brabant. Developers aim to have the first commercially operating reactor located in Zeeland by 2034. Construction of a full commercial reactor would require more than half a billion euros.

Hoekstra said at the opening ceremony: “The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges for Europe and the world. Nuclear energy must be part of the energy mix. Molten-salt reactors are an important step toward stable, reliable and clean energy for Europe, allowing Europe to continue safeguarding its independence. It is great to see such innovation in the Netherlands.”

The reactor design uses cartridge-like components containing both coolant and fuel. It is expected to generate enough energy to power about 250,000 households or, alternatively, provide industrial heat or hydrogen for industrial use at competitive costs. The technology is intended to be faster to build than traditional reactors and could also reduce the overall amount of nuclear waste in Europe.

Former ASML chief executive Peter Wennink also attended the event, along with State Secretary Jo-Annes de Bat (Climate and Green Growth) and Noord-Brabant provincial executive Martijn van Gruijthuijsen. Wennink referenced molten-salt reactors in his report on economic innovation, describing them as a key future energy technology.

Project leader Kiki Lauwers called the test facility a key milestone. “Thanks to the support of the province and the collaboration with strong manufacturing companies such as VDL and DEMCON, we can build, test, and prepare our technology for serial production.”