Copenhagen Atomics
Copenhagen Atomics is a Danish private company founded in 2014 that designs containerized thorium molten salt reactors (100 MWth / 42 MWe per unit) targeting utilities, industrial energy consumers, and maritime customers via fixed-price unit sales ($50M upfront plus $2M/year), with commercial deployment planned for the early 2030s.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersKastrup, Denmark
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Copenhagen Atomics does
Copenhagen Atomics is a Danish privately-held company founded in 2014 that designs and develops thorium molten salt reactors (TMSRs). Its core offering is a 100 MWth (42 MWe) reactor unit housed in a 40-foot shipping container form factor, intended for mass factory production and rapid on-site deployment. The reactor uses FLiNaK molten salt at 600°C (or nitrate salt at 550°C) as both coolant and fuel carrier, with a stated 90% capacity factor and a target levelized cost of electricity below $20/MWh over a 50-year operational lifetime. The proprietary "Onion Core™" reactor architecture, custom high-temperature molten salt pumps, proprietary control systems, and a proprietary FLiNaBe salt formulation constitute the principal technology differentiators. In parallel, the company sells complementary hardware — pumped portable molten salt test loops (Version 5.6, 600°C/300 L/min), highly purified FLiNaK/FLiBe/chloride salts purified to 20–100 ppm oxide levels, and 1,000-liter salt tanks — alongside molten salt testing services and an open-source reactor control system based on Raspberry Pi, STM32 microcontrollers, and a RAFT consensus algorithm.
The business model is anchored on fixed-price reactor unit sales: $50M upfront per 100 MWth unit plus a $2M annual fee (10-year minimum commitment, ideally 50 years), with Copenhagen Atomics retaining ownership of the fuel and providing continuous maintenance and fuel supply. Customer segments are large-scale industrial energy consumers (desalination, hydrogen/ammonia production, data centers, oil & gas), electric utilities, maritime operators, governments pursuing energy independence, and nuclear waste processors. The company is pre-revenue: no commercial reactor units have been sold, first nuclear chain reaction is planned for 2028 at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland, and commercial deployment is targeted for the early 2030s.
The company has raised more than €30M in private capital from over 200 investors across approximately 20 countries, supplemented by a €2.5M EIC Accelerator grant with access to up to €15M in equity. Strategic alliances span research validation (PSI, NNL, ACU NEXT Lab), industrial deployment consortia (Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, Topsoe, Alfa Laval, Aalborg CSP, Pertamina), and fuel cycle infrastructure (Rare Earths Norway, DeepGeo). Operations are based in an 11,000 m² production facility in Kastrup, Denmark, with a new Zug, Switzerland office opened in 2025 to support capital formation. The leadership team consists of four DTU-affiliated co-founders: Thomas Jam Pedersen (CEO), Aslak Stubsgaard (CTO), Thomas Steenberg (VP, Critical Materials), and Peter Szabo (VP, Administration).
Copenhagen Atomics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Copenhagen Atomics
- Legal name
- Copenhagen Atomics A/S
- Website
- https://copenhagenatomics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Copenhagen Atomics is a Danish private company founded in 2014 that designs containerized thorium molten salt reactors (100 MWth / 42 MWe per unit) targeting utilities, industrial energy consumers, and maritime customers via fixed-price unit sales ($50M upfront plus $2M/year), with commercial deployment planned for the early 2030s.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Copenhagen Atomics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Nuclear Reactors
- NAICS
- Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), 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), Nuclear Plant EPC & Construction (EUAEAAAC), Nuclear Waste Management & Geological Disposal (EUACADAM)
Keywords
Where Copenhagen Atomics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kastrup
- HQ country
- Denmark
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Copenhagen Atomics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Reactor Unit Sales: Upfront revenue from sale of 100 MWth thorium molten salt reactor units. Each unit is priced at $50M upfront plus $2M annual operational fee, targeting utilities and industrial power consumers worldwide.
- Annual Operations & Maintenance: Recurring annual fee of $2M per unit with minimum 10-year commitment for reactor monitoring, salt management, and operational support services.
- Research & Development Partnerships: Collaborative R&D arrangements with research institutions (PSI, NNL) and government agencies for thorium fuel cycle validation and technology development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Single Reactor Unit: $50M upfront + $2M/year |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Copenhagen Atomics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Copenhagen Atomics designs and manufactures containerized thorium molten salt reactors (100 MWth / 42 MWe per unit) intended for mass factory production and rapid on-site deployment. The company also supplies complementary hardware including pumped portable molten salt loops for testing, highly purified FLiNaK/FLiBe/chloride salts, 1,000-liter high-temperature salt tanks, molten salt testing services, and an open-source reactor control system. Copenhagen Atomics retains ownership of the nuclear fuel and provides ongoing operations and maintenance under long-term contracts.
Product overview
Copenhagen Atomics offers a portfolio of thorium molten salt reactor technology products centered on its core Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (100 MWth) — a containerized, factory-manufacturable nuclear reactor designed for mass production. The product line includes complementary hardware products: the Pumped Portable Molten Salt Loop for component and material testing, Highly Purified Salts (FLiNaK, FLiBe, Chloride Salts) with proprietary purification to minimize corrosion, Salt Tanks for storage and transport, and Molten Salt Testing Services. An Open Source Reactor Control System based on Raspberry Pi and STM32 provides monitoring and control capabilities with open-source components. The business model centers on reactor unit sales ($50M upfront + $2M/year annual fee) with Copenhagen Atomics retaining ownership of fuel and providing continuous maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (100 MWth) Containerized thorium molten salt reactor delivering 100 MW thermal energy (42 MW electricity) per unit, designed for mass factory manufacturing on assembly lines. Uses FLiNaK or nitrate salt at 600°C/550°C, with 90% capacity factor. Priced at $50M upfront plus $2M annual fee. Targeted at utilities and industrial power consumers.
- Pumped Portable Molten Salt Loop Fully integrated test platform for molten salt experiments, available in Version 5.6 configuration with up to 600°C operation, 300 L/min flow, 18 m³/h pump capacity, and 700°C furnace. Includes proprietary control software, cloud data logging, and double-barrier safety concept. Available with CE marking for Europe and optional UL-approved cabling for the US market.
- Highly Purified Salts (FLiNaK, FLiBe, Chloride Salts) High-purity molten salts for reactors, fusion, and research applications. Purified to 20-100 ppm oxide levels using proprietary processes, significantly reducing corrosion compared to commercial powder salts. Available in ingots, tanks, 1kg packs, and ton-scale quantities.
- Salt Tanks (1,000-Liter) High-temperature molten salt storage and transport tanks with 1,000-liter capacity, built-in heaters (up to 650°C), corrosion-resistant 316 stainless steel construction, dip tube design for efficient salt transfer, and cloud-controllable gas system for controlled atmosphere operation. CE compliant.
- Molten Salt Testing Services Testing services for components, materials, and chemistry in molten salt environments. Includes corrosion tests, materials tests, thermal cycling tests, component testing (valves, heat exchangers, pumps, filters), and tests with uranium/thorium salts. Uses open-source Raspberry Pi-based test platform with extensive sensor capabilities.
- Open Source Reactor Control System Proprietary control and monitoring system based on Raspberry Pi, STM32 microcontrollers, and Linux. Uses RAFT consensus algorithm for redundancy, QuestDB for time-series data, and web-based UI. Large portion of code and electronics designs released open source on GitHub.
Quantifiable outcome
- Target levelized electricity cost below $20/MWh — cheaper than any alternative energy source
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Copenhagen Atomics
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Copenhagen Atomics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Copenhagen Atomics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)coreSwiss national nuclear laboratory collaborating with Copenhagen Atomics on a thorium molten salt critical experiment scheduled for 2026. The partnership validates Copenhagen Atomics' TMSR technology through rigorous scientific testing and provides independent third-party verification of reactor performance claims.
- Ocean-Power AScoreNorwegian energy developer signed MoU with Copenhagen Atomics for thorium-based energy deployment in Norway. Ocean-Power seeks to leverage Copenhagen Atomics' containerized TMSR technology for Norwegian industrial and utility applications, supporting Norway's clean energy transition.
- Pupuk Kalimantan Timur (Pupukkaltim)coreIndonesian state-owned ammonia producer signed MoU for green ammonia facility project combining Copenhagen Atomics' thorium nuclear energy with ammonia production. The consortium includes Topsoe, Alfa Laval, and Aalborg CSP for integrated green ammonia production.
- Rare Earths NorwaycoreLetter of Intent signed for thorium supply collaboration. Rare Earths Norway will provide thorium fuel for Copenhagen Atomics' reactors deployed in Norway, establishing a domestic supply chain for the thorium fuel cycle.
- National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) - UKcoreUK's national nuclear laboratory signed MoU with Copenhagen Atomics for molten salt technology research collaboration. NNL provides expertise in nuclear safety, fuel cycle analysis, and regulatory engagement to support TMSR technology development and UK market entry.
- DeepGeomajorCollaboration on spent nuclear fuel handling and processing using Copenhagen Atomics' molten salt technology. DeepGeo's expertise in geological disposal and nuclear waste management complements TMSR capabilities for closing the nuclear fuel cycle.
- ACU's NEXT Lab / Natura ResourcesmajorSalt transfer and MSR (Molten Salt Reactor) research collaboration with ACU's NEXT Lab and Natura Resources. Partnership focuses on salt handling, processing, and purification technologies essential for TMSR operations.
- TopsoecoreDanish clean energy technology company specializing in ammonia synthesis. Part of the Pupukkaltim green ammonia consortium, Topsoe provides ammonia production technology integrated with Copenhagen Atomics' nuclear heat supply.
- Alfa LavalcoreSwedish heat transfer and separation technology company. Part of the Pupukkaltim green ammonia consortium, Alfa Laval provides critical heat exchanger equipment for integrating nuclear heat with ammonia production processes.
- Aalborg CSPcoreDanish concentrated solar power and energy systems company. Part of the Pupukkaltim green ammonia consortium, Aalborg CSP contributes energy system integration expertise for the nuclear-ammonia facility.
- Pertamina New & Renewable EnergymajorIndonesian state-owned energy company involved in the Pupukkaltim green ammonia project. PNRE represents the energy off-taker and regulatory interface for the Indonesian deployment of Copenhagen Atomics' technology.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Copenhagen Atomics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TerraPower: Bill Gates-backed Gen IV reactor developer (Natrium sodium fast reactor + molten salt storage) pursuing commercial deployment of advanced reactors. Much larger and better-capitalized than Copenhagen Atomics, but addresses the same industrial and utility baseload decarbonization opportunity.
- X-energy: US developer of the Xe-100 high-temperature gas-cooled reactor with TRISO fuel. Competitor for advanced reactor funding, regulatory bandwidth, and industrial customers; addresses a related but technologically distinct Gen IV market segment.
- Holtec International: US nuclear vendor developing the SMR-160 small modular reactor. Competes for the same utility and industrial baseload customer set that Copenhagen Atomics targets with its 100 MWth containerized design, though with a light-water rather than molten salt architecture.
Emerging players
- Moltex Energy: UK/Canadian developer of the Stable Salt Reactor — a molten salt design with similar Gen IV / industrial baseload positioning. Overlaps with Copenhagen Atomics on target customer segments (utilities, industrial process heat) and European licensing pathway engagement.
- Steady Energy: Finnish SMR developer focused on district heating applications (LDR-50). Northern European peer pursuing a similar industrial / district-heat use case, though with a different reactor technology; useful comparison for Northern European advanced reactor go-to-market.
- Flibe Energy: US thorium LFTR (liquid fluoride thorium reactor) developer. Closely aligned with Copenhagen Atomics on thorium fuel cycle choice, though at an earlier stage of development and with a different reactor architecture.
Direct peers
- Terrestrial Energy: Canadian developer of the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a Generation IV molten salt design targeting industrial heat and grid power. Direct Gen IV molten salt competitor with overlapping customer use cases (industrial process heat, baseload power) and similar licensing timelines.
- Kairos Power: US advanced reactor developer using fluoride salt coolant in its FHR (Hermes test reactor, KP-FHR commercial design). Competes with Copenhagen Atomics for the same molten-salt technological approach, regulatory mindshare, and industrial baseload customers.
- Seaborg Technologies: Danish peer developing Compact Molten Salt Reactors mounted on a power barge for ship propulsion and offshore applications. Overlaps directly with Copenhagen Atomics on MSR technology, Northern European base, and a focus on non-traditional nuclear applications beyond grid baseload.
- ThorCon International: Direct MSR peer pursuing containerized molten salt reactor technology with factory-built power plants. Targets similar industrial and developing-market customers and shares the 'mass-manufactured' thesis, making it the closest direct competitor to Copenhagen Atomics' containerized TMSR approach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Copenhagen Atomics social profiles
Digital presenceCopenhagen Atomics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Copenhagen Atomics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Copenhagen Atomics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Copenhagen Atomics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Copenhagen Atomics 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 Copenhagen Atomics
What does Copenhagen Atomics do?
Copenhagen Atomics designs and manufactures containerized thorium molten salt reactors (100 MWth / 42 MWe per unit) intended for mass factory production and rapid on-site deployment. The company also supplies complementary hardware including pumped portable molten salt loops for testing, highly purified FLiNaK/FLiBe/chloride salts, 1,000-liter high-temperature salt tanks, molten salt testing services, and an open-source reactor control system. Copenhagen Atomics retains ownership of the nuclear fuel and provides ongoing operations and maintenance under long-term contracts.
Is Copenhagen Atomics a public or private company?
Copenhagen Atomics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Copenhagen Atomics founded?
Copenhagen Atomics was founded in 2014. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Copenhagen Atomics based?
Copenhagen Atomics is headquartered in Kastrup, Denmark, in the Europe region.
How does Copenhagen Atomics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Reactor Unit Sales are the primary driver. The others are annual Operations & Maintenance and research & Development Partnerships.
Who are Copenhagen Atomics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TerraPower, X-energy and Holtec International. Emerging players are Moltex Energy, Steady Energy and Flibe Energy. Direct peers are Terrestrial Energy, Kairos Power, Seaborg Technologies and ThorCon International.
Does Copenhagen Atomics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Copenhagen Atomics.
What industry is Copenhagen Atomics in?
Copenhagen Atomics's product category is Advanced 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 3339 and its SIC code is 3550.