Amsterdam-based startup Thorizon has secured €20 million to build Europe’s first molten salt reactor, led by Invest-NL with support from Positron Ventures, PDENH, and Impuls Zeeland, to transform nuclear waste into clean energy.
- Founded in 2018 by Lucas Pool and Sander de Groot as a spin-off from NRG, the Dutch national nuclear research institute, Thorizon develops advanced modular molten salt reactors that transform nuclear waste into clean energy.
- The startup's flagship reactor, Thorizon One, utilizes a patented cartridge-based fuel system that enhances safety, efficiency, and circularity. By leveraging molten salt technology, it delivers a stable, carbon-free energy source capable of powering 250,000 households or providing high-temperature steam for industrial use.
- With offices in Amsterdam and Lyon, Thorizon is developing a molten salt reactor, partnering with Orano, Tractebel, and VDL Groep. The company is working with EPZ and EDF on research, with its design under review by Dutch and French regulators, targeting construction by 2030 at sites in France and the Benelux.
- In 2024, Thorizon secured a €4 million grant from the Dutch Province of Noord-Brabant, in partnership with VDL Groep and Demcon. This follows a €10 million grant from the French government's France 2030 Innovative Reactor Program.
Details of the deal
- The investment round was led by Invest-NL, the Dutch National Promotional Institution, which supports projects with societal benefits, focusing on sustainability and innovation.
"Since our initial investment in 2022, the team has grown, strengthened its expertise, and made significant technological strides. We believe this step supports a scalable, zero-carbon energy solution essential for Europe's energy independence," claims Reda Atibi, Senior Investment Manager at Invest-NL.
- The round also saw support from Positron Ventures, a European fund backing breakthrough technologies, PDENH, a Dutch fund supporting sustainable energy and circular economy projects, and Impuls Zeeland.
- Thorizon's future plans focus on advancing the development of its Thorizon One molten salt reactor, aiming to begin construction by 2030. The company plans to continue refining the reactor's design, complete prototyping and licensing, and demonstrate the innovative cartridge fuel system.
"Our mission is to drive nuclear innovation in Europe, enhancing energy security while reducing carbon emissions and burning long-lived nuclear waste. We welcome new strategic partners to join us in making Europe’s first molten salt reactor a reality," explains Kiki Lauwers, CEO of Thorizon.
