Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), founded in 1978 and headquartered at No. 350 Shushanhu Road on Science Island in Hefei, is a state-owned research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducting scientific research focused on plasma physics, controlled thermonuclear fusion energy, and superconducting technology. Its core facilities are EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak), the world's first fully superconducting tokamak known as China's "artificial sun" that has set multiple world records including plasma confinement over 1,000 seconds, and CRAFT (Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology), a ~400,000 sqm integrated testbench for magnets, heating systems, and divertor components.

ASIPP's technology stack centers on magnetic confinement fusion and superconducting magnet engineering, including the world's largest 582-ton toroidal field (TF) superconducting magnet (120 GJ energy storage, 98 kA), a fully localized HTS central solenoid coil (60 kA, 0.87 nΩ joint resistance), ITER correction coils and 31 magnet feeder systems, an HTS stellarator 3D coil program, and the KTX reverse field pinch device operated jointly with USTC. The institute has produced 47 patents and 14 industry standards from its TF magnet project, publishes the Plasma Science and Technology journal via IOP Publishing, and contributes DTP integrated plasma regime research published in Physical Review Letters.

ASIPP is a non-profit government research institute funded primarily through Chinese national science budgets and operates under sovereign program direction rather than commercial pricing. Its customer relationships are structured as collaborative research and procurement engagements rather than product sales: ITER Organization receives feeder systems and correction coils; the international fusion research community (including >120 institutions in 50+ countries) accesses EAST experimental time, with more than half of annual proposals from European and American partners; and regional partners (Thailand, Tunisia, Lebanon, Korea, Russia) receive technology transfer, equipment donations (e.g., HT-6M tokamak to Thailand), and joint laboratory support under Belt-and-Road arrangements.

Name

Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Legal name

Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Website

https://english.ipp.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ASIPP is a state-owned Chinese Academy of Sciences research institute founded in 1978 in Hefei that operates the EAST superconducting tokamak and CRAFT fusion technology testbench, developing plasma physics, superconducting magnets, and ITER procurement packages for international fusion collaborators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Fusion Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517), Other Specialized Design Services (54149)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Integration & Commissioning Support (EUAKAAAH), Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Nuclear fusion research
• Plasma physics
• Superconducting magnet systems
• Tokamak engineering
• Fusion energy R&D

Headquarters

HQ city

Hefei

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: ASIPP operates as a research institute under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, funded primarily through government scientific research budgets and national science and technology programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) is a government research institute that conducts scientific research in magnetic confinement nuclear fusion, plasma physics, and superconducting magnet technology. It operates the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) and CRAFT (Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology) as flagship research platforms, develops and manufactures superconducting magnet systems (including the world's largest 582-ton TF magnet and HTS central solenoid coils), contributes critical components to the international ITER project, and collaborates with over 120 research institutions across 50+ countries.

Product overview

ASIPP operates as a research institute focused on magnetic confinement fusion energy, plasma physics, and related superconducting technologies. The core product portfolio centers on the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) device, known as China's 'artificial sun,' and the CRAFT (Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology) testbench facility. ASIPP develops and manufactures critical superconducting magnet systems including the world's largest 582-ton toroidal field magnet and high-temperature superconducting central solenoid coils. The institute serves as a major contributor to the international ITER project, supplying correction coils, magnet feeder systems, and other key components. ASIPP also publishes the Plasma Science and Technology (PST) journal in partnership with IOP Publishing. The portfolio includes specialized devices like the KTX reverse field pinch tokamak and HTS stellarator components developed in collaboration with industry partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EAST: Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak - ASIPP's flagship tokamak facility known as the 'Chinese artificial sun'
• CRAFT
• Plasma Science and Technology

Products and services

• EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak is ASIPP's flagship superconducting tokamak device known as China's 'artificial sun.' It has set multiple world records in nuclear fusion energy research including plasma confinement over 1000 seconds and H-mode plasma discharge lasting 400 seconds. Used by the international fusion research community for plasma confinement experiments and fusion physics research.
• CRAFT (Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology) Comprehensive testbench facility with reactor-relevant parameters supporting world's magnetic fusion research through testing for magnets, heating systems, divertor, and other important materials. Covers approximately 400,000 square meters. Designed as an integrated engineering verification platform for fusion reactor research.
• Toroidal Field (TF) Superconducting Magnet World's largest fusion reactor superconducting magnet weighing 582 tons with 1.3x the volume and 3x the energy storage of the ITER TF magnet. Operates stably under extreme conditions at 98 kA with 120 GJ total energy storage. Developed for fusion reactor applications.
• High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Central Solenoid Coil Core component of tokamak devices supporting device startup, plasma current excitation, and real-time plasma confinement regulation. Delivers stable operating current of 60 kA, stored energy of 6.03 MJ, maximum magnetic field ramp rate of 5.1 T/s, and ultra-low joint resistance of 0.87 nΩ. Uses innovative hybrid high-low temperature magnet structure with stress-dispersion support.
• ITER Correction Coils 18 sets of correction coils (TCC, SCC, BCC) arranged around the ITER vacuum vessel to offset magnetic field deviations, rectify distortions, and serve as indispensable magnetic field regulators for stable ITER operation.
• ITER Magnet Superconducting Feeder System Supply system for tokamak magnets responsible for transmitting energy, cooling media, and signals. 31 sets developed and tested by ASIPP, representing one of the more complex procurement packages for the ITER project.
• HTS Stellarator 3D Coil System Advanced stellarator design with 2-meter major radius and 5-tesla central magnetic field using HTS 3D coils with peak magnetic field of 16 teslas. Achieves core alpha particle loss of less than 0.4% and effective neoclassical transport ripple below 10⁻³. Developed for next-generation fusion reactor concepts.
• KTX (Keda Torus for eXperiment) Reverse Field Pinch Device Reverse field pinch (RFP) device with major radius 1.4m, minor radius 0.4m, magnetic field in plasma center 0.7T. Joint project with USTC exploring plasma profiles of fusion commercial reactor and studying 'self-organization' behavior of magnetic confinement plasma.
• Plasma Science and Technology (PST) Journal International journal (ISSN: 1009-0630, e-ISSN: 2058-6272) sponsored by ASIPP and Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. Published online by IOP Publishing. Indexed in SCI (since 2003) and EI (since 2006).

Quantifiable outcome

• World's largest fusion reactor superconducting magnet (582 tons, 120 GJ energy storage)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ITER OrganizationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026ASIPP serves as a key supplier for ITER's magnet superconducting feeder systems, having delivered all 31 sets. Contributed technical support, assembly tooling, and key processes for precise positioning and connection of feeder systems in the bioshield region. Also supplies ITER correction coils and other components.
• Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2023China-Korea Workshop on W-based Metal Wall/Divertor & Plasma-Wall Interactions. Long-term partners exchanging information on advanced tungsten materials and components for tokamak devices.
• Tunisian National Center for Nuclear Science and Technology (CNSTN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2023Established first plasma physics laboratory at National School of Engineers in Tunisia. Joint summer school program (MENA School of Plasma Physics and Fusion Science) co-hosted with CEA. Carthage University MoU for deeper cooperation in talent training and scientific collaboration.
• American University of Beirut (Lebanon)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 September 2022Cooperation agreement on nuclear fusion energy research. Includes joint experimental research and training of students, exchange of visits in plasma science and magnetic fusion.
• Sino-French Fusion Energy Centre (SIFFER)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2018Joint research center comprising ITER-China, ASIPP, Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP), and CEA. Established to support ITER and develop key components for magnetic confinement fusion. First joint project focuses on tungsten divertor research.
• General Atomics (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2015First US-China fusion research team collaboration using EAST and DIII-D facilities. Joint research on high-bootstrap current scenario and plasma stability. Led by Dr. Xianzu Gong of ASIPP and Dr. Andrea Garofalo of General Atomics.
• French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing cooperation since 1980s. Joint ICRH antenna development for WEST project. CEA/IRFM collaboration on tungsten/copper plasma facing components. Co-hosts MENA School of Plasma Physics with ASIPP.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences InstitutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with multiple CAS institutes including Institute of Physics, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Institute of Modern Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Institute of Botany, Institute of Microbiology, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Metals Research, and others.
• Hefei Xihe Superconducting Technology Co., Ltd.coreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on HTS stellarator development. Xihe developed dedicated production line for spatial twist control of continuous 3D bending. Joint team completed full-process verification of 3D dummy coil for high-temperature superconducting stellarators.
• Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), RussiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSino-Russian Superconducting Proton Center established in Hefei. Collaboration on superconducting technologies, atomic physics, and nuclear medicine. Grigory Trubnikov (JINR Director) received Chinese Government Friendship Award.
• Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated HT-6M tokamak (renamed Thailand Tokamak 1) to Thailand. ASIPP assists with installation, operation, related technologies and talent cultivation. Summer school program held for Thai scientists and engineers.
• EUROfusioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTony Donné, Programme Manager at EUROfusion, participates in EAST International Advisory Committee meetings. Weekly progress meetings with China on shared fusion research objectives. Collaboration on DEMOnstration power plant and CFETR.
• Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticle transport experiments on ASDEX tokamak. Collaboration begun in 1986. Kenneth Gentle received International S&T Cooperation Award for his contributions.
• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on DIII-D tokamak experiments and plasma transport research. Mingologists from PPPL participate in EAST advisory activities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Commonwealth Fusion Systems: MIT-spinout commercial fusion company developing the SPARC tokamak with HTS magnets. Approaches fusion energy from a venture-backed, commercialization-focused perspective rather than government R&D. Represents an alternative development path that competes for talent and capital in the global fusion ecosystem.

Direct peers

• General Atomics (DIII-D National Fusion Facility): US-based fusion research organization operating the DIII-D tokamak. ASIPP-GA has the first US-China joint fusion research team collaboration on high-bootstrap current scenarios. Both develop tokamak technology and superconducting magnet systems for fusion energy.
• National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), Japan: Japan's primary fusion research institute operating the Large Helical Device stellarator. Comparable as a national fusion research center with similar superconducting magnet expertise and international collaboration profile.
• ITER Organization: ITER is the international fusion energy project to which ASIPP supplies critical components (correction coils, feeder systems). Both are core participants in magnetic confinement fusion research, sharing the same fundamental mission and technical standards for tokamak-based fusion energy.
• Southwestern Institute of Physics (SWIP): China's second major fusion research institute based in Chengdu, operating the HL-2M tokamak. Both are Chinese Academy of Sciences-adjacent nuclear fusion institutes that collaborate through the SIFERR center and contribute to the domestic fusion program.
• CEA / IRFM (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission): France's primary fusion research organization operating the WEST tokamak. ASIPP supplies ICRH antennas and tungsten plasma-facing components to CEA/IRFM. Joint operation of the MENA School of Plasma Physics and SIFERR joint research center make them a directly comparable peer.
• Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL): US national laboratory for plasma physics and fusion energy research. Collaborates with ASIPP on DIII-D tokamak experiments and plasma transport research. Both operate major tokamak facilities and contribute to international fusion programs.
• Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP): Germany's primary fusion research institute operating ASDEX tokamak and Wendelstein 7-X stellarator. Direct counterpart to ASIPP with similar research mandate, expertise in superconducting magnets, and long-standing collaboration since 1986.
• Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE): South Korea's national fusion institute operating the KSTAR tokamak. ASIPP and KFE have a long-term partnership through the China-Korea Workshop on W-based metal wall/divertor research. Comparable as national-level fusion institutes with similar superconducting tokamak mandates.

Others

• Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS): A peer CAS institute that collaborates with ASIPP on multiple research programs including fusion materials and plasma physics. While not a direct fusion peer, it represents the broader CAS scientific ecosystem that enables ASIPP's multidisciplinary research, especially through joint laboratories on fusion reactor materials irradiation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences