Framatome Unveils Europe's First Large-Scale Nuclear Additive Manufacturing Facility

Problem

The nuclear industry has long faced challenges in component manufacturing, including high costs, lengthy lead times, and the need for complex geometries that are difficult to produce using traditional methods. Additionally, supply chain vulnerabilities and the demand for enhanced innovation in nuclear and defense sectors have necessitated a shift towards more advanced and sustainable manufacturing solutions.

Solution

Framatome has addressed these challenges by inaugurating a state-of-the-art additive manufacturing center at its site in Romans sur Isère, Drôme, France. This €25 million, 6,000 m² facility, operational since May 2026, is the first of its kind in Europe. The center is dedicated to the additive manufacture of metal mechanical components and integrates research and development, industrial process qualification, and a training hub for both Framatome's internal teams and external partners.

“This new additive manufacturing centre is at the heart of Framatome's strategic ambition: to develop world-class industrial assets that sustainably support nuclear projects and meet the needs of our customers and partners, in France and across the globe, as well as those of the defence sector,” said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome.

The facility employs two cutting-edge metal printing processes: wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF). These technologies enable the production of parts ranging from a few kilograms to several tons, with dimensions spanning from a few millimeters to five meters in diameter. The center is expected to significantly reduce costs, shorten lead times, and optimize material and energy usage.

Results

The Amiral Bernard-Antoine Morio de l’Isle Additive Manufacturing Center, named in honor of a distinguished former General Officer of the French Navy, is now fully operational. The center's team consists of 20 skilled professionals, and it leverages MX3D's WAAM technology for the production of critical components with complex geometries.

“With the Amiral Bernard-Antoine Morio de l’Isle center fully operational, we have entered a new era for truly large-scale Additive Manufacturing in Nuclear Energy,” said Gijs van der Velden, CEO of MX3D.

MX3D's technology is being used to manufacture medium-sized parts like 1-ton impellers and large structures weighing between 20 and 25 tons. This collaboration underscores the facility's role in strengthening European strategic and sovereign industrial capabilities, demonstrating that large-scale metal 3D printing is now capable of delivering repeatable quality for the most demanding applications in the nuclear sector and beyond.

The center's impact is multifaceted:

• Enhanced Sovereignty: By bringing advanced manufacturing capabilities in-house, Framatome reduces reliance on external suppliers and strengthens its industrial sovereignty.
• Cost and Time Efficiency: The use of additive manufacturing significantly cuts costs and lead times, making the production process more efficient.
• Innovation and Safety: The facility accelerates innovation in nuclear and defense installations, contributing to improved performance and safety.

##