Terrestrial Energy and NRG PALLAS Begin Final Phase of Graphite Irradiation Testing for Supplier Selection
Terrestrial Energy and NRG PALLAS have initiated the final phase of graphite irradiation testing for the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) nuclear technology. The testing, conducted at NRG PALLAS' High Flux Reactor in Petten, Netherlands, will validate graphite performance for the IMSR's licensing and operation.
The IMSR design requires approximately 125 tonnes of graphite as a neutron moderator, with testing aimed at confirming performance throughout its seven-year operating cycle. The program, which began in 2020, evaluates multiple graphite grades from Western suppliers. The collaboration leverages NRG PALLAS' 50+ years of experience in nuclear technology research and their capability to simulate accelerated aging processes of reactor materials.
Terrestrial Energy e NRG PALLAS hanno avviato la fase finale dei test di irraggiamento del grafite per la tecnologia nucleare Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). I test, condotti presso il Reattore ad Alto Flusso di NRG PALLAS a Petten, Paesi Bassi, convalideranno le prestazioni del grafite per la licenza e l'operatività dell'IMSR.
Il progetto IMSR richiede circa 125 tonnellate di grafite come moderatore neutronico, con test volti a confermare le prestazioni durante il suo ciclo operativo di sette anni. Il programma, iniziato nel 2020, valuta diversi tipi di grafite forniti da produttori occidentali. La collaborazione sfrutta i oltre 50 anni di esperienza di NRG PALLAS nella ricerca sulla tecnologia nucleare e la loro capacità di simulare processi di invecchiamento accelerato dei materiali del reattore.
Terrestrial Energy y NRG PALLAS han iniciado la fase final de las pruebas de irradiación de grafito para la tecnología nuclear Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). Las pruebas, realizadas en el Reactor de Alto Flujo de NRG PALLAS en Petten, Países Bajos, validarán el rendimiento del grafito para la licencia y operación del IMSR.
El diseño del IMSR requiere aproximadamente 125 toneladas de grafito como moderador de neutrones, con pruebas destinadas a confirmar el desempeño durante su ciclo operativo de siete años. El programa, que comenzó en 2020, evalúa múltiples grados de grafito de proveedores occidentales. La colaboración aprovecha los más de 50 años de experiencia de NRG PALLAS en investigación tecnológica nuclear y su capacidad para simular procesos de envejecimiento acelerado de materiales de reactores.
Terrestrial Energy왶 NRG PALLAS가 Integral Molten Salt Reactor(IMSR) 핵기술을 위한 흑연 조사 시험� 최종 단계� 시작했습니다. 네덜란� 페텐� 위치� NRG PALLAS� 고플럭스 원자로에� 진행되는 이번 시험은 IMSR� 허가 � 운영� 위한 흑연 성능� 검증할 예정입니�.
IMSR 설계에는 중성� 감속재로 � 125톤의 흑연� 필요하며, 시험은 7� 운영 주기 동안 성능� 확인하는 것을 목표� 합니�. 2020년에 시작� � 프로그램은 서구 공급업체� 다양� 흑연 등급� 평가합니�. 이번 협력은 NRG PALLAS� 50� 이상� 핵기� 연구 경험� 원자� 재료� 가� 노화 과정� 시뮬레이션하� 능력� 활용합니�.
Terrestrial Energy et NRG PALLAS ont lancé la phase finale des tests d'irradiation du graphite pour la technologie nucléaire Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). Les tests, réalisés au réacteur à haut flux de NRG PALLAS à Petten, aux Pays-Bas, valideront les performances du graphite pour la licence et l'exploitation de l'IMSR.
La conception de l'IMSR nécessite environ 125 tonnes de graphite comme modérateur de neutrons, les tests visant à confirmer les performances tout au long de son cycle d'exploitation de sept ans. Le programme, débuté en 2020, évalue plusieurs qualités de graphite provenant de fournisseurs occidentaux. Cette collaboration s'appuie sur les plus de 50 ans d'expérience de NRG PALLAS en recherche technologique nucléaire et leur capacité à simuler le vieillissement accéléré des matériaux des réacteurs.
Terrestrial Energy und NRG PALLAS haben die Endphase der Graphitbestrahlungstests für die Kerntechnologie des Integral Molten Salt Reactors (IMSR) eingeleitet. Die Tests, die im Hochflussreaktor von NRG PALLAS in Petten, Niederlande, durchgeführt werden, sollen die Leistung des Graphits für die Zulassung und den Betrieb des IMSR validieren.
Das IMSR-Design benötigt etwa 125 Tonnen Graphit als Neutronenmoderator, wobei die Tests darauf abzielen, die Leistung über den siebenjährigen Betriebszyklus hinweg zu bestätigen. Das Programm, das 2020 begann, bewertet mehrere Graphitsorten von westlichen Lieferanten. Die Zusammenarbeit nutzt die über 50 Jahre Erfahrung von NRG PALLAS in der nuklearen Forschung und deren Fähigkeit, beschleunigte Alterungsprozesse von Reaktormaterialien zu simulieren.
- None.
- Seven-year operating cycle per Core-unit suggests regular replacement requirements
- Large quantity (125 tonnes) of specialized graphite needed per reactor indicates supply chain dependencies
Insights
Terrestrial Energy advances IMSR reactor development with final graphite testing phase, crucial for licensing and commercialization timeline.
Terrestrial Energy has initiated the final phase of graphite irradiation testing for its Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) at NRG PALLAS's High Flux Reactor in the Netherlands. This represents a critical technical milestone in the development pathway for this Generation IV nuclear technology.
The testing program, which began in 2020, is designed to validate the performance of various graphite grades under simulated operating conditions. This is particularly significant because the IMSR design requires approximately 125 tonnes of graphite as a neutron moderator, making the material selection process essential for both operational performance and regulatory approval.
The comprehensive testing leverages NRG PALLAS's five decades of specialized experience in materials irradiation testing. By simulating aging processes in an accelerated manner, these tests will confirm whether selected graphite grades can maintain their structural and neutron-moderating properties throughout the IMSR's seven-year operating cycle.
From a technical standpoint, this represents one of the final validation steps before graphite supplier selection and regulatory licensing submissions. The successful completion of this testing program will address a key technical uncertainty in the IMSR design, potentially accelerating the path to deployment. For advanced nuclear technologies, materials qualification represents one of the most significant hurdles in the regulatory process, and this testing program directly addresses this challenge for a crucial reactor component.
Materials testing enables selection of graphite grade and licensing for its Generation IV Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) nuclear technology, designed to supply high- temperature, clean, firm and flexible thermal and electric energy, with sector-competitive economics and leading time-to-market at fleet scale
Testing leverages world-class testing and research capabilities of the NRG PALLAS Petten Research Centre’s High Flux Reactor
CHARLOTTE, N.C. and PETTEN, The Netherlands, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terrestrial Energy Inc., (Terrestrial Energy) a developer of small modular nuclear power plants using Generation IV reactor technology, and NRG PALLAS, a global leader in nuclear science and technology, today announced the start of the final phase of its graphite irradiation and selection program for Terrestrial Energy’s Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). The irradiation tests, conducted at NRG PALLAS� High Flux Reactor (HFR) in Petten in the Netherlands, will enable Terrestrial Energy to finalize the qualification of graphite for licensing and operation of its IMSR plant.
Terrestrial Energy’s IMSR is a thermal spectrum reactor that uses ~125 tonnes of graphite as the neutron moderator. The completion of tests at NRG PALLAS� HFR, one of the most powerful multi-purpose research and test reactors in the world, will confirm the predicted performance of selected graphite grades throughout the seven-year operating cycle of each IMSR Core-unit.
The Company sourced multiple graphite grades from suppliers of nuclear graphite in western markets, including the U.S., to commence a test program in 2020 for the selection and qualification of the most suitable graphite grade. The test program benefits from NRG PALLAS� decades of experience performing materials irradiation tests for nuclear reactor development, as well as the engineering expertise of the Frazer-Nash Consultancy.
“Comprehensive irradiation tests are essential for advanced reactor development and reactor licensing, as they validate the performance of critical materials under actual operating conditions. Our pioneering work with NRG Pallas is providing the data needed to make our final graphite grade selection for the IMSR, marking another important milestone in our supply chain development,� said Simon Irish, CEO of Terrestrial Energy. “NRG PALLAS� technical expertise and research capabilities are unparalleled in the world of advanced reactor development, and this work will be a major step toward Terrestrial Energy’s goal of achieving early fleet deployment.�
NRG PALLAS has more than 50 years of experience in nuclear technology research. Using the HFR, NRG PALLAS simulates ageing processes of reactor materials in an accelerated manner, measuring the impacts of irradiation on materials to support the design and licensing of reactors.
“NRG PALLAS is committed to leveraging its test reactor and research capabilities to support advanced reactor development,� said Arjan Vreeling, manager R&D Nuclear Fuels & Materials at NRG PALLAS. “We have been collaborating with Terrestrial Energy now for 5 years and are delighted to be moving to the final stage of in-core irradiation testing of IMSR graphites, the first developer to commence such testing.�
About Terrestrial Energy
Terrestrial Energy is a developer of Generation IV nuclear plants that use its proprietary Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR). The IMSR captures the full transformative operating benefits of molten salt reactor technology in a plant design that represents true innovation in cost reduction, versatility and functionality of nuclear energy supply. IMSR plants are designed to be small and modular for distributed supply of zero-carbon, reliable, dispatchable, low-cost, high-temperature industrial heat and electricity, and for a dual-use energy role relevant to many industrial applications, such as chemical synthesis and data center operation. In so doing, they extend the application of nuclear energy far beyond electric power markets. Their deployment will support the rapid global decarbonization of the primary energy system across a broad spectrum and increase its sustainability. Terrestrial Energy uses an innovative plant design together with proven and demonstrated molten salt reactor technology and standard nuclear fuel for a nuclear plant with a unique set of operating characteristics and compelling commercial potential. Terrestrial Energy is engaged with regulators, suppliers and industrial partners to build, license and commission the first IMSR plants in the early 2030s.
On March 26, 2025, Terrestrial Energy and HCM II Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: HOND) announced that they have entered into a definitive Business Combination Agreement for a business combination (the “Business Combination�) that would result in the combined Company (Terrestrial Energy) to be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker symbol “IMSR�.
About NRG PALLAS
NRG PALLAS is a global leader in nuclear solutions. The company specialises in the production of medical isotopes and the development of advanced nuclear technologies. Preparatory work has begun on the construction of the new PALLAS reactor to replace the current High Flux Reactor. The new reactor will secure the supply of isotopes for 30,000 patients a day, and ensure the availability of nuclear know-how for the future, including knowledge of fuel and material irradiation tests.
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This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval.
In connection with the business combination, HCM II and Terrestrial Energy will file with the SEC registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement�), which will include a preliminary prospectus of HCM II relating to the offer of securities to be issued in connection with the business combination, and a preliminary proxy statement of HCM II to be distributed to holders of HCM II’s capital shares in connection with HCM II’s solicitation of proxies for vote by HCM II’s shareholders with respect to the Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement HCM II and Terrestrial Energy also plan to file other documents with the SEC regarding the business combination. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, a definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to the shareholders of HCM II and Terrestrial Energy. INVESTORS OF HCM II AND TERRESTRIAL ENERGY ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS CONTAINED THEREIN (INCLUDING ALL AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS COMBINATION THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMBINATION.
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