Industrial processes such as cement, ammonia, soda‑ash, steel and hydrogen production rely heavily on fossil‑fuel‑derived heat, steam and electricity, generating a large share of global CO₂ emissions. Electrification alone cannot meet the high‑temperature (>400 °C) energy demand of many of these processes, creating a need for a low‑carbon, high‑temperature energy source.

Blue Capsule Technology develops a compact, underground small modular reactor (SMR) that delivers high‑temperature industrial heat, steam and electricity from a single nuclear unit. The reactor combines a high‑temperature reactor (HTR) concept with sodium cooling and uses TRISO fuel, providing inherent safety and operation at atmospheric pressure. Each 150 MWth module can supply up to 750 °C process heat, steam up to 650 °C, and around 50 MWe of electricity, enabling continuous, low‑carbon operation for energy‑intensive sites. The design is modular, serially manufactured with an existing European supply chain, and requires only ambient‑air cooling, eliminating the need for water. By co‑locating the subterranean capsule directly on industrial sites, the solution offers a secure, on‑site energy supply that replaces fossil fuels while maintaining process efficiency.

150 MWth sodium‑cooled SMR delivering up to 750 °C industrial heat (higher than most competing reactors)

High‑temperature steam production up to 650 °C and ~50 MWe electricity from the same unit (tri‑vector capability)

Uses TRISO fuel for robust, passive safety and operates at atmospheric pressure with natural sodium circulation

Subterranean, compact module design for protection against external hazards and easy on‑site integration

Ambient‑air cooling eliminates water requirements, suitable for arid or water‑stressed locations

Modular, serial construction leveraging an established European nuclear supply chain

Flexible configuration: multiple reactors can be combined to match specific customer heat/steam/electricity needs

Primary customers are heavy‑industry operators that need high‑temperature process heat, steam or power, including cement plants, ammonia and soda‑ash producers, alumina facilities, steelmakers, bio‑fuel and biomass gasification plants, and low‑carbon hydrogen producers using SOEC electrolysers.

Blue Capsule secured a €10 million grant from France 2030 in 2023 and announced €2 million of private investment in 2024. In 2024 the company formalised a partnership with the French Alternative Energies & Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to extend support for equipment, components, materials and TRISO fuel. By 2025 it entered Phase 2 of the technical dialogue with France’s nuclear safety authority. The first reactor is slated for commissioning by 2035, with commercial start‑up expected in 2036.