Thorizon

Thorizon is a deep-tech company developing a Generation IV molten salt reactor that uses long-lived nuclear waste and thorium as fuel, aiming to provide a circular and sustainable energy source. Founded in 2018 by Lucas Pool and Sander de Groot, Thorizon is a spin-off from the Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (NRG), the Dutch national nuclear research institute, where the technology was developed for years. Sander de Groot, with his extensive experience in nuclear technology, envisioned molten salt reactors as an optimal solution for Europe's energy transition by providing carbon-free power while repurposing nuclear waste.

The company is developing the "Thorizon One," a 100-MW molten salt reactor designed to provide 250MW of industrial heat or generate enough electricity to power 250,000 households. A key feature of the Thorizon One is its patented cartridge-based core, where the molten salt fuel is contained. This design allows for the cartridges to be replaced every five to ten years, which aims to offer advantages in safety, cost-efficiency, and a faster time to market compared to traditional reactors. The reactor is described as "walk-away safe," meaning the fission process automatically stops in case of disruptions without external intervention. The business model centers on the development and eventual deployment of these small modular reactors (SMRs) to industrial clients and energy grids.

Thorizon operates with a collaborative strategy, partnering with industry leaders such as Orano for fuel development, Tractebel for engineering, and VDL Group for manufacturing test versions. The company has offices in Amsterdam and Lyon, France, to be integrated into the strong French nuclear technology community. Thorizon has secured significant funding, including a €12.5 million round in 2022 and a total of €42.5 million raised by March 2025 through various investments and grants from entities like the French government's France 2030 program and the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant. The company is working with Dutch and French nuclear safety agencies on a preparatory review of its reactor design and aims to begin construction of the first reactor by 2030, with a target for deployment by the mid-2030s.

Keywords: molten salt reactor, nuclear energy, small modular reactor, SMR, thorium fuel cycle, nuclear waste recycling, Gen IV nuclear, clean energy, deep-tech, circular economy, industrial heat, advanced reactors, sustainable energy, carbon-free power, reactor technology, energy transition, nuclear innovation, cartridge-based reactor, walk-away safe, nuclear engineering