By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : November 12, 2025 10:35 am
This initiative aligns with NextChem’s strategic objective to collaborate with nuclear technology providers developing small and advanced modular nuclear technologies
NextChem (Maire) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EDF and Nuward to deploy Nuward’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology to fuel NextChem’s innovative “e-Factory” projects at the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris.
The partnership aims to integrate low-carbon nuclear energy into data centers and industrial processes, advancing electrification, decarbonization, and the development of a sustainable European energy ecosystem.
This initiative aligns with NextChem’s strategic objective to collaborate with nuclear technology providers developing small and advanced modular nuclear technologies (SMR/AMR) by delivering affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
The collaboration supports NextChem’s vision for its “E-Factory for Low-Carbon Chemistry and Data Centers”, promoting the integration of low-carbon energy sources into industrial processes and digital infrastructure to enable electrification and decarbonisation.
In line with this vision, NextChem recently launched NEXT-N, a joint venture dedicated to developing new intellectual property (IP) for the conventional island and providing highly qualified technical services for next-generation nuclear power plants.
The initiative leverages MAIRE Group’s capabilities including those of its sister company Tecnimont, known for its project delivery expertise and state-of-the-art modularization approach, which optimizes construction and planning, reducing both time and costs.
Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NextChem, said: “We are proud to partner with leading players to support the production of nuclear electrons through SMR to develop efficient energy for the downstream industrial and digital needs, in line with our vision of the E-Factory. Our goal is also to foster a highly qualified European supply chain which are essential to truly industrialise the new energy transition paradigm.”