HEXANA secures €25 million to accelerate the deployment of its Sodium Fast Reactor system, the most credible 4th generation SMR technology on the European market for industrial decarbonization
and HEXANA has closed a €25 million financing package to support the accelerated development of its modular Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) energy platform. This funding comprises a €15 million equity round and a €10 million grant from Bpifrance Financement, awarded under the France 2030 initiative for innovative nuclear reactor projects. It positions HEXANA’s 4th generation Small Modular Reactor (SMR) as the leading and most advanced solution for decarbonizing strategic industries in Europe.
With support from leading investors such as Blast. Club, Eren Industries, CEA Investissement and Région Sud Investissement, as well as the strategic guidance of Avolta and Villechenon teams, this financing will enable HEXANA to achieve critical milestones. These include completing the Conceptual Design phase (Avant-Projet Sommaire), submitting the Safety Options File (Dossier d’Options Sûreté) to the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR), and progressing to the Basic Design phase (Avant-Projet Détaillé). The funding also plays a pivotal role in securing HEXANA’s first industrial customers and strategic sites across Europe.
Leveraging a proven technology through an innovative energy platform
This financing marks a significant turning point for HEXANA. The company now has the resources to finalize the Conceptual design of its innovative energy platform in collaboration with its extensive network of French and European partners. The SFR technology, whose feasibility has been successfully demonstrated in the Phénix, Superphénix, and ASTRID projects, is reintroduced in HEXANA’s innovative energy platform. The system integrates a cutting-edge reactor composed of two 400 MWth power modules and an advanced energy storage solution.
With strengthened financial resources and a proven technological foundation, HEXANA is poised to commercialize its product by 2035.
The answer to Europe’s major energy and industrial challenges
HEXANA aims to revolutionize the energy sector for heavy industry and sustainable fuel production, including hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and e-SAF. Its innovative solution delivers high-temperature heat alongside decarbonized, flexible, controllable, and cost-competitive electricity. By minimizing reliance on critical resources, HEXANA leverages Europe’s abundant upcyclable materials to ensure a sustainable, efficient energy system. This approach not only optimizes the use of resources but also secures stable energy costs, a cornerstone for reindustrialization and bolstering energy sovereignty.
Unmatched flexibility for power grids in a changing society
HEXANA’s energy platform, equipped with an integrated thermal storage system, offers unparalleled flexibility in the production of heat and electricity, seamlessly adapting to the evolving demands of power grids and data centers. By operating its reactors at stable power levels, the platform achieves an optimal load factor while contributing to initiating the closure of the fuel cycle.
This innovative approach enhances sustainable energy self-sufficiency and revitalizes France’s strategic sodium fuel cycle, positioning HEXANA as a key player in the energy transition and the development of resilient infrastructure.
“This financing underscores the credibility and relevance of our low-carbon technology as a replacement for fossil fuels. It provides us with the appropriate resources to complete the preliminary design phase, move forward with our European commercial development, and secure our first industrial sites. We are now well-positioned to accelerate growth in delivering a transformative energy decarbonization solution that is already in high demand among our customers. At the same time, we are catalyzing the revival of a strategic sector, the large-scale fast-breeder reactor industry. HEXANA offers a tangible and reliable response to the critical energy and industrial sovereignty challenges that France and Europe face.”
— Sylvain NIZOU, CEO of HEXANA
“We are thrilled to support HEXANA’s financing round. Our participation reflects Eren’s commitment to backing start-ups that are advancing next-generation nuclear technologies with the highest potential. This investment is part of our long-term strategy, with the ultimate goal of developing power plant projects in France and globally that use HEXANA’s technology. This approach aligns with our 20-year track record of deploying renewable energy projects across five continents.”
— David CORCHIA, Co-Founder of Eren Industries
“HEXANA represents the future of industry-bound energy. By developing nuclear technology that provides greater modularity and flexibility than the large reactors in today’s fleets and addressing far more specific use cases, they are tackling one of the most pressing challenges of today’s industrial production.”
— Anthony BOURBON, Founder and CEO of Blast. Club
“This investment aligns with our commitment to supporting innovative and sustainable projects, particularly in the energy sector, to drive the energy transition and the decarbonization of strategic industries. By investing in HEXANA, we are reaffirming our dedication to cutting-edge technologies that enable decarbonized, flexible, and competitive energy production to address the energy challenges of the future.
France is placing a strong bet on the growth of its nuclear industry, leveraging its extensive expertise and assets in this forward-looking sector.”
— Pierre JOUBERT, CEO of Région Sud Investissement
