Thorizon
Thorizon is a Franco-Dutch developer of small modular molten salt reactors, founded in 2021 as a spin-off from NRG, designing 100 MWe / 250 MW thermal units that deliver baseload power and high-temperature industrial heat using a patented cartridge fuel system, serving energy-intensive industries, data centers, and government-backed energy projects.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Thorizon does
Thorizon is a Franco-Dutch deep-tech company, founded in 2021 as a spin-off from NRG (the Netherlands' national nuclear research institute), developing small modular molten salt reactors (MSR) for baseload power and high-temperature industrial heat. The company's core product, Thorizon One, is a 100 MWe / 250 MW thermal unit operating at low pressure with a walk-away safe molten salt core and a patented cartridge-based fuel system designed for off-site series production, 5-10 year cartridge replacement cycles, and the ability to run on long-lived nuclear waste as fuel. The technology platform is being validated through a staged roadmap: the Thorizon PILOT non-nuclear test program (Eindhoven and Borssele, target 2027), the Thorizon PIONEER nuclear demonstrator at NRG PALLAS in Petten (construction target 2028, operational 2030), and a first commercial reactor (target 2034).
The company serves energy-intensive industries (chemicals, steel, hydrogen), data center operators, and national/regional governments seeking energy security and decarbonization, with site-hosting partnerships secured with EPZ at Borssele and NRG PALLAS at Petten. Thorizon is pre-revenue and is constructing its business model around licensing of its reactor technology, sale of commercial reactor units, and long-term fuel and service contracts, with EPC, manufacturing, and component engineering delivered through a deep partner network including Hyundai Engineering & Construction, Orano, VDL Groep, Demcon, Tractebel, EDF, Boccard, CEA, and Curium. As of early 2026, Thorizon has approximately 50 engineers across Amsterdam and Lyon, has raised approximately €42.5M in cumulative funding (mix of Series A equity led by Invest-NL plus non-dilutive grants from France 2030, the EU Just Transition Fund, and the Province of Noord-Brabant), and is one of eight priority projects within the EU Industrial Alliance on Small Modular Reactors.
Thorizon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thorizon
- Legal name
- Thorizon
- Website
- https://thorizon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Thorizon is a Franco-Dutch developer of small modular molten salt reactors, founded in 2021 as a spin-off from NRG, designing 100 MWe / 250 MW thermal units that deliver baseload power and high-temperature industrial heat using a patented cartridge fuel system, serving energy-intensive industries, data centers, and government-backed energy projects.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thorizon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
- NAICS
- Nuclear Electric Power Generation (221113)
- SIC
- Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors) (EUAKADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Reactor Vessel, Internals & Primary Circuit Components (RPV, piping, pumps, valves) (EUAKADAE), Advanced & Non‑LWR Fuel Manufacturing (TRISO, metallic fuels, HALEU fuels) (EUAKACAG)
Keywords
Where Thorizon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Thorizon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Reactor Licensing and Deployment: Thorizon plans to generate revenue through licensing its reactor technology and deploying commercial Thorizon One reactors at customer sites. The company works with industrial partners for manufacturing, engineering, and construction, while positioning itself as the licensor and technology provider. Revenue will come from reactor sales, licensing fees, and ongoing fuel and service contracts.
- Reactor Construction and Project Development: As a pre-revenue deep-tech company, Thorizon is currently focused on development and prototyping. Once commercial reactors are operational, revenue will include construction project fees and potentially managed services for reactor operation and maintenance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Thorizon One commercial reactor delivering 100 MWe electricity or 250 MW industrial heat |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Thorizon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Thorizon develops and deploys small modular molten salt reactors (MSRs) that deliver 100 MWe of carbon-free electricity and 250 MW of high-temperature industrial heat at 550 degrees Celsius. The company's technology uses patented fuel cartridges designed to operate on nuclear waste as fuel, providing intrinsically safe, low-pressure operation. Core offerings include the Thorizon One commercial reactor, the Thorizon PIONEER nuclear demonstrator, and the Thorizon PILOT non-nuclear test program.
Product overview
Thorizon offers a portfolio of small modular molten salt reactors at various stages of development. The core offering consists of Thorizon One, a 100 MWe commercial reactor delivering both electricity and high-temperature industrial heat at 550°C, designed to run on nuclear waste. The Thorizon PIONEER is a nuclear demonstrator (first nuclear MSR in Europe), and Thorizon PILOT is a non-nuclear test program validating the cartridge-based fuel system. All products share the patented cartridge modularity design and low-pressure molten salt technology platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thorizon One The first commercial small modular molten salt reactor, delivering 100 MWe of carbon-free electricity and 250 MW of industrial heat at 550 degrees Celsius. Uses patented fuel cartridges and operates at low pressure with intrinsically safe molten salt technology, designed to run on nuclear waste as fuel. Targets EUR 60/MWh levelized cost of energy.
- Thorizon PIONEER Nuclear demonstrator reactor - the first molten-salt nuclear reactor to operate in Europe, deployed at NRG PALLAS in Petten. Provides early operational data and regulatory confidence for the Thorizon platform.
- Thorizon PILOT Full-scale non-nuclear pilot program validating cartridge design, assembly, and step-by-step operation of the primary system. Located at High Tech Campus Eindhoven and at EPZ in Borssele.
Quantifiable outcome
- Avoids as much CO₂ as a city the size of Amsterdam per reactor
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Thorizon
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Thorizon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Thorizon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and secondary.
- EPZcoreEPZ, operator of Netherlands' only commercial nuclear power plant at Borssele, has completed pre-feasibility assessment validating site suitability and joined the coalition to investigate becoming owner, licensee and operator of Thorizon One commercial reactor in Zeeland. EPZ has operated the Borssele site for over 50 years.
- NRG PALLAScoreNRG PALLAS, leading Dutch nuclear research institute and medical isotope developer based in Petten, will provide the site for the PIONEER nuclear demonstrator and intends to become its owner, licensee and operator. Thorizon originated as spin-off from NRG.
- Hyundai Engineering & ConstructionstrategicStrategic MOU signed at Thorizon's Amsterdam headquarters to accelerate development and global deployment of the Thorizon One molten salt reactor. Partnership combines Thorizon's advanced MSR technology with Hyundai E&C's EPC expertise, part of Hyundai's 'Triangular Alliance' nuclear strategy covering large reactors, SMRs, and MSRs.
- BoccardstrategicStrategic cooperation to engineer pump qualification loop and prepare pipework for Thorizon's Pioneer nuclear demonstrator. Boccard brings over 50 years of nuclear experience and pilot-plant capabilities for validation of high-temperature molten-salt pumping technology.
- OranocorePartnership with Orano on fuel development. Orano is tasked by the French government under France 2030 strategy for advancing fuel cycle closure. Orano brings fuel cycle mastery and nuclear engineering depth to the Thorizon program.
- VDL GroepcoreVDL Groep partnered for prototyping and manufacturing. Part of PROMOSA project in Noord-Brabant. VDL brings high-tech manufacturing capability and is a key partner for cartridge and component manufacturing for series production.
- TractebelcoreEngineering partnership with Tractebel for reactor design and engineering services. Tractebel provides engineering expertise for design validation and licensing activities.
- EDFsecondaryR&D collaboration with EDF on research and development activities. EDF brings French nuclear engineering expertise to the partnership program.
- Schelde ExotechcoreZeeland-based manufacturer designing and manufacturing high-end process equipment including heat exchangers from exotic metal alloys. Part of Project ZILT consortium and PILOT program, bringing specific expertise in heat exchangers for nuclear applications.
- DelmecosecondaryZeeland-based manufacturer partnering in Project ZILT for design and testing of reactor components. Part of the regional manufacturing base supporting Thorizon's deployment.
- CuriumstrategicResearch collaboration on corrosion testing for metals in contact with molten salt. Curium brings expertise in characterisation and experimentations with chemicals and radioactive materials, with laboratory authorized by Nuclear Safety Authority.
- INSA LyonstrategicResearch collaboration with MatéiS laboratory affiliated with INSA Lyon, CNRS and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University. Partnership focuses on materials development and corrosion testing, with access to specialized testing capabilities and dedicated research spaces in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- DEMCONsecondaryPart of PROMOSA project in Noord-Brabant consortium with Thorizon and VDL Groep. Develops and manufactures technology and innovative products, contributing prototyping capabilities.
- TU DelftsecondaryPartner in the nuclear innovation ecosystem connecting around development, testing and deployment of next-generation reactor technology. Brings academic research expertise and nuclear knowledge.
- TNOsecondaryPartner in the nuclear innovation ecosystem. Brings applied research expertise and nuclear knowledge infrastructure for next-generation reactor development.
- HZ University of Applied SciencessecondaryPart of Project ZILT consortium. Contributing to applied research and education, building the next generation of nuclear talent in Zeeland.
- ScaldasecondaryPart of Project ZILT consortium. Regional knowledge institution contributing to applied research and education for nuclear workforce development.
- DIFFERsecondaryPartner in the nuclear innovation ecosystem connecting around development, testing and deployment of next-generation reactor technology.
- Provincie ZeelandcoreCommitted to supporting permitting and licensing and actively engaging stakeholders in Zeeland. Hosting Europe’s first commercial molten salt reactor would position the region at forefront of next-generation nuclear energy.
- Provincie Noord-HollandcoreCommitted to supporting permitting and licensing and actively engaging stakeholders in Noord-Holland. Energy & Health Campus in Petten is considered logical location for demonstration reactor development.
- Provincie Noord-BrabantcoreProvince contributing €4M grant to PROMOSA project in consortium with VDL Groep and Demcon. Established Nuclear Innovation Coalition to strengthen collaboration between governments, companies and knowledge institutions for next generation nuclear energy.
- CEAstrategicFrench Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission. Partnered on advanced materials and reactor chemistry. Tasked by French government under France 2030 for advancing fuel cycle closure, making Thorizon PIONEER directly relevant to French national nuclear policy.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Thorizon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Terrestrial Energy: Canadian developer of the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a small modular MSR targeting industrial heat and power. Most direct competitor to Thorizon in the MSR category with similar customer focus and licensing path.
- Kairos Power: US developer of the fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (KP-FHR), another molten-salt-adjacent advanced reactor. Competes directly for advanced reactor licensing milestones, capital, and industrial heat customers.
- Copenhagen Atomics: Danish thorium-fueled MSR developer, a fellow European MSR startup using molten salt technology. Comparable scale, European base, and pre-commercial development stage.
- Moltex Energy: UK/Canada developer of the Stable Salt Reactor, another molten salt reactor concept targeting grid-scale power. Competes for the same advanced-reactor licensing pipeline and government support.
Emerging players
- Rolls-Royce SMR: UK-based SMR consortium developing a 470 MWe light-water SMR. Competes with Thorizon for European SMR deployment slots, government prioritization, and industrial customer demand, though with a different (LWR) technology.
- TerraPower: Bill Gates-backed advanced reactor developer (Natrium sodium fast reactor with molten salt energy storage). Major well-capitalized peer in the advanced reactor space targeting industrial decarbonization.
- X-energy: US developer of the Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor and TRISO-X fuel. Competes for high-temperature industrial heat customers and is further along in US regulatory licensing.
Broad incumbents
- NuScale Power: US-based publicly listed SMR developer with NRC-certified light-water SMR design. Serves as a benchmark SMR competitor for European customers evaluating small modular nuclear options.
- Westinghouse eVinci: Westinghouse's microreactor program targeting remote and industrial customers with compact nuclear. Part of a large established nuclear vendor portfolio, competing for the same decentralised baseload use cases.
- Framatome: Major French nuclear reactor vendor and fuel cycle participant, partnered with or adjacent to many of Thorizon's industrial ecosystem partners (EDF, CEA, Orano). Represents the incumbent supply chain Thorizon must integrate with for licensing and deployment.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Thorizon social profiles
Digital presenceThorizon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thorizon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Thorizon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors9 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Thorizon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Thorizon
What does Thorizon do?
Thorizon develops and deploys small modular molten salt reactors (MSRs) that deliver 100 MWe of carbon-free electricity and 250 MW of high-temperature industrial heat at 550 degrees Celsius. The company's technology uses patented fuel cartridges designed to operate on nuclear waste as fuel, providing intrinsically safe, low-pressure operation. Core offerings include the Thorizon One commercial reactor, the Thorizon PIONEER nuclear demonstrator, and the Thorizon PILOT non-nuclear test program.
Is Thorizon a public or private company?
Thorizon is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Thorizon founded?
Thorizon was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Thorizon based?
Thorizon is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Thorizon make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Reactor Licensing and Deployment is the primary driver. The others are reactor Construction and Project Development.
Who are Thorizon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Copenhagen Atomics and Moltex Energy. Emerging players are Rolls-Royce SMR, TerraPower and X-energy. Broad incumbents are NuScale Power, Westinghouse eVinci and Framatome.
Does Thorizon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thorizon.
What industry is Thorizon in?
Thorizon's product category is Small Modular Nuclear Reactors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAKADAC, Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors), with a secondary code of EUAKADAE, Reactor Vessel, Internals & Primary Circuit Components (RPV, piping, pumps, valves). Its NAICS code is 221113 and its SIC code is 3550.