What Centrum výzkumu Řež does

Centrum výzkumu Řež (CVŘ) is a Czech public research organisation founded in 2002 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of ÚJV Řež, a.s., focused on research, development and innovation in energy, with nuclear energy as its principal domain. The company operates the LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactors at its Husinec-Řež campus near Prague, supplemented by hot cell complexes, technology loops, microanalysis laboratories, and an extensive suite of specialised facilities including HELCZA (world-unique for ITER fusion first-wall testing), S-Allegro (high-temperature gas-cooled reactor component testing), sCO2 Energy cycles, Hot Isostatic Pressing, and Molten Salt Oxidation/Experimental Technology Line for radioactive waste processing. CVŘ also holds a patent on the Energy Well small modular reactor concept (molten-salt) and has developed the CR-100 reference SMR design.

CVŘ generates revenue through a hybrid model combining institutional and grant funding from the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), TAČR (THÉTA, NCK, OP PIK) and EURATOM R&I programmes (approximately 20 active projects with CVŘ coordinating 2), project-based R&D contracts with nuclear utilities (ČEZ, Dukovany and Temelín), OEMs and international partners (Hitachi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi Research Institute), state regulatory authorities (SÚRO, SÚJB), and commercial radiopharmaceutical production (notably molybdenum-99) via the LVR-15 reactor. The CICRR Open Access programme provides structured access to research infrastructure for domestic and international research institutions, universities, and industrial partners. Following its April 2026 merger with Výzkumný a zkušební ústav Plzeň (VZÚ Plzeň), CVŘ operates from two campuses — Husinec-Řež and Plzeň — and has expanded into hydrogen technologies (H2PPM 2026), thermal energy storage (TES), and advanced manufacturing services, while spinning off commercial activities to a wholly-owned subsidiary iCVŘ.

Name

Centrum výzkumu Řež

Legal name

Centrum výzkumu Řež s.r.o.

Website

https://cvrez.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Centrum výzkumu Řež is a Czech public nuclear research organisation operating the LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactors, providing R&D, materials testing, safety analysis, and engineering services to utilities (ČEZ), international OEMs (Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Framatome), regulators (SÚRO), and European consortia (EURATOM, ITER).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Remediation Services (56291)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Component Qualification, Testing & Certification (Seismic, Environmental, EMI/EMC) (EUAKADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors) (EUAKADAC), Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) & Nuclear Codes Compliance (ASME, RCC-M, etc.) (EUAKAAAI), Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation) (EUAKADAI), In-Core & Ex-Core Instrumentation (Neutron Flux, Temperature, Pressure, Vibration) (EUAKADAL), Supplier Qualification, Procurement QA & Supply Chain Oversight (EUAKAEAH)

Keywords

• Nuclear research services
• Reactor technology testing
• Radioactive waste processing
• Materials irradiation testing
• Nuclear safety assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Husinec

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Research Services and R&D Contracts: CVŘ provides paid research and development services to domestic and foreign organisations, including reactor operation support, nuclear safety analyses, materials testing, and engineering services. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with industrial clients, utilities, and research institutions.
2. Radiopharmaceutical Production: The LVR-15 reactor is used for production of medical radioisotopes including molybdenum-99 for nuclear medicine diagnostics, generating commercial revenue from healthcare institutions.
3. Open Access Infrastructure Usage Fees: CICRR research infrastructure is offered in Open Access mode to national and international research institutions, universities, and industrial partners, likely with usage fees.
4. Institutional and Grant Funding: CVŘ receives institutional support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO), participates in national projects (TAČR THÉTA, NCK, OP PIK) and international EURATOM research and innovation programmes, with approximately 20 active projects including 2 as coordinator.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centrum výzkumu Řež (CVŘ) is a Czech nuclear research organisation that operates the LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactors and an integrated chain of supporting facilities (hot cells, technology loops, HELCZA, S-Allegro, sCO2 loops, HIP, MSO/ETL) to deliver material irradiation, post-irradiation examination, microstructural analysis, nuclear safety assessment, reactor physics and thermohydraulics modelling, radioactive waste processing, and engineering services. Customers include nuclear power plant operators (ČEZ, Dukovany and Temelín), state regulators (SÚRO, SÚJB), Japanese nuclear organisations (Hitachi, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kajima Corporation, Mitsubishi Research Institute), and international R&D consortia (ITER, EURATOM, ESS, V4G4).

Product overview

Centrum výzkumu Řež operates as a research organization with interconnected infrastructure portfolio centered on nuclear energy research. The core infrastructure includes LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactors, supplemented by the CICRR and SUSEN platforms providing Open Access to external researchers. Key testing facilities include HELCZA for fusion reactor component testing and S-Allegro for high-temperature reactor testing. The sCO2 Energy system addresses advanced thermodynamic cycles. The company provides specialized services in materials research and diagnostics, nuclear safety assessment, waste processing technologies (MSO/ETL), deep geological repository research, and nuclear forensics. Following the April 2026 merger with VZÚ Plzeň, the organization expanded its research and development capacities. The portfolio operates on a facility-access model with Open Access availability for qualified research institutions and industry partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iCVŘ: Spin-off company of Centrum výzkumu Řež focused on the transfer of research results to industrial practice, specializing in surface treatments, thermal coatings, and heat treatment services.

Products and services

• LVR-15 Research Reactor Services Light-water research reactor providing material irradiation experiments, neutron radiography, and production of medical radioisotopes (notably molybdenum-99) for healthcare institutions and research clients. Operated in continuous monthly cycles.
• LR-0 Reactor Services Zero-power reactor used as an internationally recognised benchmark for experimental validation of nuclear data and computational methods applied in safety assessments of VVER and PWR nuclear power plants. Supports nuclear data library updates (ENDF/B-VIII.1).
• CICRR Open Access Programme Large research infrastructure platform combining LVR-15, LR-0, JHR-CZ reactors with hot cells, experimental loops, analytical laboratories and neutron/gamma sources, provided in Open Access mode to qualified research institutions, universities and industry partners.
• HELCZA Fusion Materials Testing World-unique facility for cyclic testing of fusion reactor components under high heat fluxes, using an 800 kW electron gun to deliver up to 20 MW/m² on plasma-facing components. Used for ITER first-wall panel qualification.
• S-Allegro HTGR Testing Facility Unique experimental and testing device enabling thermohydraulic and nuclear safety testing of high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) components and computational tool validation, without real reactor operation. Used by V4G4 Centre of Excellence for GFR demonstrator development.
• sCO2 Energy Conversion Research Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) energy conversion cycle research including operation of Europe's first sCO2 test loop (110 kW thermal input, simple regenerative Brayton cycle) and a planned 6 MW thermal demonstration cycle under TAČR-Efekt.
• Energy Well Small Modular Reactor Concept Patented Small Modular Reactor (SMR) concept based on molten salt reactor technology, developed by CVŘ as a reference design. (Licensing/IP — the concept is being developed; included here as a named offering of the research portfolio.)
• Materials and Diagnostics Research Services Development and testing of materials and surface treatments for nuclear and conventional power plants and Generation IV reactor concepts, including fuel cladding and components exposed to extreme conditions. Uses the integrated HIP, hot cell and electron microscopy chain.
• Nuclear Safety Assessment Services Safety analyses of research and power reactors using computational methods, neutron physics and thermohydraulics modelling, with licensing support for nuclear operators and state regulatory authorities (SÚJB, SÚRO).
• Waste Processing Technologies (MSO/ETL) Pilot-scale technologies for processing radioactive, toxic and hazardous waste, including Molten Salt Oxidation (MSO) at up to 1,000°C and the Experimental Technological Line (ETL) for vacuum concentration, crystallisation and solidification matrix development of liquid radioactive waste.
• Deep Geological Repository Research Research on deep geological repository systems for long-term safety of hazardous and radioactive waste, including multibarier system development combining engineering and natural barriers.
• Technological Projects and Engineering Services Custom development, design and production of large technological units and special experimental equipment, including hot cells and cranes for research reactors (e.g., supplied to the Jules Horowitz Reactor in France).
• Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) Services Material processing technology combining high temperature (up to 1,400°C) and high isostatic pressure (up to 205 MPa) in inert argon atmosphere to modify internal material structure, improving mechanical properties and corrosion resistance for nuclear and energy applications.
• Nuclear Forensics Services Expert analytical and investigative services for nuclear and radiological forensics, including illicit-trafficking incident investigation, and participation in ITWG international exercises (e.g., CMX-8).
• Medical Radioisotope Production Production of medical radioisotopes (notably molybdenum-99) using the LVR-15 reactor for nuclear medicine diagnostics, supplied to healthcare institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• LVR-15 reactor ranks among the most important research reactors in Europe for material irradiation and medical radioisotope production
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FramatomecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Strategic partnership focused on safe and sustainable operation of CVŘ's LVR-15 and LR-0 research reactors. Builds on more than 10 years of joint research in nuclear safety and fuel development. Includes cooperation on fuel research, reactor core modelling, experimental validation of computational codes, and licensing support. Also covers LEU-FOREVER low-enriched uranium fuel development and EU-CONVERSION project (2024-2028). The agreement was signed 12 May 2026 in the presence of the French Ambassador to the Czech Republic.
• HiLASEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research project studying the effects of Laser Shock Peening (LSP) advanced surface treatment on austenitic stainless steel 316L and martensitic steel M300. The project aims to increase resistance to hydrogen embrittlement for applications in energy, transportation, and chemical industry.
• HitachicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of methods for separating debris below Fukushima reactor vessels, conducted shortly after the 2011 accident. CVŘ contributed to post-Fukushima recovery efforts.
• Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeasurement of physical properties of corium (molten mixture of fuel, structural materials, and concrete) to support Japanese experts in determining melt distribution under Fukushima reactors and preparing for its removal.
• Kajima CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term joint programme (JFY2025-2027) with Mitsubishi Research Institute and Nagoya University focused on studying radiation aging of aggregates and concretes used in the construction of Japanese nuclear power plants. Data obtained were included in documents for restart applications of Japanese nuclear power plants.
• Mitsubishi Research InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the JCAMP team (with University of Tokyo and Kajima Corporation) coordinating radiation effects research on concrete structures of Japanese nuclear power plants within the JFY2025-2027 programme.
• Nagoya UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the JCAMP team coordinating radiation effects research on concrete structures of Japanese nuclear power plants within the JFY2025-2027 programme.
• University of TokyocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the JCAMP team coordinating radiation effects research on concrete structures of Japanese nuclear power plants within the JFY2025-2027 programme.
• SAE-AN ENGINEERING CORPORATIONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigning of a Memorandum of Understanding between ÚJV, SAE-AN ENGINEERING CORPORATION, SAE-AN ENERTECH CORPORATION and CVŘ on 21 November, confirming cooperation in key areas of energy.
• SAE-AN ENERTECH CORPORATIONminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigning of a Memorandum of Understanding between ÚJV, SAE-AN ENGINEERING CORPORATION, SAE-AN ENERTECH CORPORATION and CVŘ on 21 November, confirming cooperation in key areas of energy.
• State Institute of Radiation Protection (SÚRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation aimed at developing the sharing of expert capacities, know-how, models, computational codes and experimental data, and systematically deepening know-how in the field of deterministic and probabilistic nuclear safety assessment methods.
• CICRR Partner Institutions (Open Access)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICRR (Czech International Centre of Research Reactors) provides Open Access to CVŘ's research infrastructure for domestic and international research organisations, universities, and industrial partners. Includes LVR-15, LR-0, JHR-CZ reactors, hot cells, experimental loops, analytical laboratories, and neutron/gamma sources.
• ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVŘ operates the HELCZA facility to test first-wall panels and divertor components for the ITER fusion reactor. This is part of global efforts to bring fusion to Earth.
• ESS (European Spallation Source)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVŘ participates in projects for the construction of the ESS (European Spallation Source), contributing to the involvement of Czech entities in European research infrastructure.
• OECD/NEA FACE ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVŘ specialists performed analyses of melt sample simulants from the failed Fukushima reactors within the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident Information Collection and Evaluation (FACE) project.
• V4G4 Centre of ExcellencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVŘ is an associate member of V4G4 Centre of Excellence, focused on the development of a gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR) demonstrator. CVŘ's role is experimental and engineering support using the S-Allegro facility.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN): French public expert in nuclear and radiation risks that performs reactor safety research, materials analysis under irradiation, and supports the French nuclear safety authority — overlapping with CVŘ's nuclear safety assessment, deterministic/probabilistic analyses, and regulatory support services.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich: German multidisciplinary research centre with significant nuclear energy, materials, and reactor safety programmes, including participation in Gen IV reactor development — directly comparable to CVŘ's combined reactor operations, materials research, and advanced systems work.
• Studsvik: Swedish nuclear services company offering fuel and materials testing, hot-cell PIE, and nuclear software consulting to global operators — commercially comparable to CVŘ's materials/diagnostics and fuel development services, though more focused on commercial service delivery than research.
• Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL): International French-German-British research centre operating one of the world's most intense neutron sources for materials research and nuclear science, comparable to CVŘ's LR-0/Cf-252 neutron source work in nuclear data validation and neutron physics experimentation.
• Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI): Korean government-funded nuclear R&D organisation operating research reactors and developing advanced reactor systems, fuel, and safety codes — directly comparable to CVŘ in mission scope (reactor operations + safety + advanced systems) though at substantially larger scale.
• SCK CEN (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie / Centre d'Étude de l'Énergie Nucléaire): Belgian nuclear research centre operating the BR2 research reactor and hot-cell laboratories for material irradiation, nuclear safety research, and radioisotope production — the closest direct peer to CVŘ in terms of mission, infrastructure, and customer base across European nuclear R&D.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state research organisation that operates research nuclear facilities and provides nuclear safety, materials, and fuel services comparable to CVŘ, including irradiation services and safety assessments for Finnish and European nuclear operators.

Broad incumbents

• Framatome: One of the world's leading suppliers of nuclear reactor technologies, fuel, and services, with overlapping capabilities in fuel design, reactor core modelling, and safety analysis — both a strategic partner of CVŘ (May 2026 partnership) and a much broader incumbent in the same value chain.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with nuclear safety assessment, supplier qualification, and component certification services — comparable in service categories (especially under EUAKAEAH supplier qualification and EUAKAAAI QA/QC) though operating as a broad multi-industry incumbent rather than a nuclear-only specialist.

Others

• ÚJV Řež, a. s. Parent company of CVŘ and part of the ÚJV Group; provides nuclear engineering, safety, and consulting services across the Czech nuclear fleet — directly related as parent and ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor in research infrastructure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CVRez
• Facebookfacebook.com/ResearchCentreRez
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/research-centre-rez

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centrum výzkumu Řež