The AMRC has a longstanding reputation for research and expertise in the nuclear industry. We are now doing more than ever to help the sector advance.
Nuclear energy is zero-carbon at the point of production, making it a vital part of the clean energy mix for the future. Governments around the world are setting ambitious targets to grow the use of nuclear power for their electricity grids, and as new technology makes it more affordable, large companies are looking to nuclear for their own energy needs too.
At the AMRC we are well equipped to meet the special requirements of the nuclear sector. We produce advanced manufacturing research and development on a larger scale than anywhere else in the UK, and we’re demonstrating new techniques to transform nuclear manufacturing.
We’re working with Rolls-Royce to develop small modular reactors (SMRs), a revolutionary new way of producing a nuclear reactor in a single factory setting, which saves a huge amount in costs and time. Each power station can power one million homes for 60 years, and their manufacture can create tens of thousands of highly skilled, well-paid jobs in the UK.
We are manufacturing prototypes and demonstrator nuclear components at our facility in South Yorkshire, with partners including Kairos Power and the US Department of Energy.
And we’re working with small businesses across the country to build a sustainable supply chain and showcase the UK on the world stage as the place to go for nuclear manufacturing.
Key capabilities
In our South Yorkshire facilities we can develop advanced techniques for the whole process of manufacturing for nuclear, all in one place. We are distinct in the world to offer both sub-scale and full-scale automation.
Our ability to manufacture demonstrator components at full scale means that we can solve real-world manufacturing challenges and test new processes before they are rolled out in industry.
The nuclear sector requires large structures that resist radiation and do not corrode. With our expertise in advanced joining technologies and some of the largest welding research facilities in the world, we are well placed to support it.
Our research ranges from the latest power beam and arc welding techniques to using AI to improve traceability and manufacturing speed. We have worked on nuclear waste disposal, built large steel structures for the nuclear sector, and developed affordable welding technology for the nuclear supply chain.
We have been working on the digital thread since 2016 and are at the forefront of designing and using digital tools for manufacturing, including in the nuclear supply chain.
We work with a number of partners including software providers to develop new technology and digitise assembly techniques and methods of manufacture — all to make things cheaper, faster and cleaner.
Safety and assurance runs through everything we do in nuclear manufacturing. We work with international bodies to contribute to the codes and standards used globally to regulate nuclear production and keep us all safe, while ensuring they’re suitable for new technology.
By demonstrating new techniques and technology to regulators, we help them stay on top of new developments in nuclear — and allow manufacturers to innovate without unexpected blockages down the line.
How we can help your business
The AMRC exists to help UK manufacturing grow and succeed on the global stage, and the nuclear sector is no different. We work with companies of all sizes to maximise the potential of this growing area and ensure a robust supply chain in this country.
Each major project we work on, such as the new generation of small modular reactors, provides a wealth of procurement opportunities for companies across the country. We work with manufacturing SMEs to improve their productivity and competitiveness.
Our independence, our deep knowledge of nuclear manufacturing in the UK, and our vast network of industrial partners means we are in a uniquely strong position to help businesses understand the future needs of nuclear energy.
Whether you already work in the sector or you’re considering pivoting to nuclear, we can help you act quickly to capture your own part of the growing global market.
