Companies to produce recycled uranium, plutonium, and critical isotopes to support America's advanced nuclear reactor industry
JANESVILLE, Wisc. and OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – July 8, 2025 – SHINE Technologies LLC, a next-generation nuclear technology company, and Standard Nuclear, a reactor-agnostic producer of TRISO nuclear fuel and radioisotope power systems, today announced a strategic partnership to advance nuclear fuel recycling and U.S. fuel security. The agreement establishes a framework and lays the groundwork for a closed-loop, circular economic solution to domestic nuclear fuel production.
Under the agreement, SHINE will provide recycled nuclear materials from its planned used nuclear fuel recycling facilities to Standard Nuclear for use in TRISO fuel production and to provide isotopes for its radioisotope power systems. SHINE will supply recycled uranium, plutonium for advanced reactor fuels, as well as heat-generating isotopes like strontium-90 (Sr-90) and americium-241 (Am-241) for use in compact power systems. These recovered materials support the production of TRISO fuel, a high-performance nuclear fuel made from uranium particles wrapped in protective ceramic and carbon layers. TRISO is known for its enhanced safety and durability at extreme temperatures, making it a critical component in many advanced reactor designs.
This partnership represents SHINE’s first formal collaboration with a fuel producer, expanding its commercial reach into the advanced fuel sector. Together, the companies aim to build a secure, sustainable fuel supply chain by turning used fuel into strategic energy assets.
The announcement comes amid growing momentum for advanced nuclear technologies. The White House’s Executive Orders in May 2025 aimed at reinvigorating the U.S. nuclear industry and promoting U.S. production of nuclear fuel emphasized the need to close the nuclear fuel cycle and secure domestic supplies of critical nuclear materials and fuel.
“We see tremendous value in recovered materials from used nuclear fuel for our fuel manufacturing processes and radioisotope power systems,” said Kurt Terrani, CEO of Standard Nuclear. “Our partnership with SHINE creates new pathways for transforming used nuclear fuel into productive energy resources that strengthen domestic fuel security.”
Standard Nuclear is the nation’s only independent developer of TRISO fuel for advanced reactors, offering a reactor-agnostic fuel supply that reduces U.S. reliance on foreign sources. Its leadership in advanced fuel manufacturing makes it an ideal partner for integrating SHINE’s recycled materials.
"Our partnership with Standard Nuclear is an important step toward closing the nuclear fuel cycle and making nuclear energy renewable," said Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of SHINE. "Recycling requires processors like SHINE, fuel fabricators, utilities, and offtake partners for other recycled goods. Standard Nuclear fits the bill for two of these roles serving both as a fuel fabricator and as a manufacturer of nuclear batteries. Together, we’re building the ecosystem needed to turn waste into a strategic asset and move closer to a future where clean energy is both practical and sustainable.”
SHINE is developing a comprehensive approach to recycle the 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel currently stored across the U.S., a legacy stockpile with decades of untapped energy potential. This one-year partnership framework will explore joint development opportunities and commercial relationships. SHINE expects to begin construction of its first commercial recycling facility in the early 2030s, with an initial capacity to process 100 metric tons per year. Once operational at scale, SHINE’s recycling process could help avoid tens of millions of tons of CO₂ emissions annually.
Headquartered in Janesville, Wisconsin, SHINE is an industry leader in next-generation fusion, developing innovative fusion-based technology that combines safety, cost-efficiency and environmental responsibility.
SHINE has successfully commercialized fusion across multiple applications, including neutron testing markets such as neutron radiography, radiation-effects testing and fusion material research. It has commercialized and is scaling its proprietary medical isotope production processes, supplying high-quality radioisotopes essential for procedures including diagnosing heart disease and cancer as well as cancer therapy.
Beyond these applications, SHINE is pioneering nuclear waste recycling to make nuclear energy more sustainable. Its long-term purpose is to change the way humans make energy by commercializing fusion energy. Unlike other fusion companies, SHINE takes a commercially driven path mirroring successful deep-tech industries. Through this visionary approach, SHINE is advancing technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy, making a lasting impact across multiple sectors. Learn more at www.SHINEfusion.com
Standard Nuclear’s mission is to reliably deliver the essential building blocks of nuclear power at scale—enabling cost-effective, safe, and secure energy for the world. Supported by leading U.S. defense technology and critical infrastructure investment firms, Standard Nuclear is focused on the large-scale production of advanced nuclear fuel and radioisotope power systems. It is the nation’s only independent manufacturer of TRISO fuel—a robust, high-performance fuel essential to advanced nuclear reactors for both terrestrial and space applications. Standard Nuclear offers a reactor-agnostic supply of advanced fuels to the next-generation nuclear industry and delivers dependable radioisotope power solutions to the space and defense sectors. Through these efforts, it is helping to eliminate U.S. reliance on geopolitical adversaries for these strategically vital technologies. For more information, visit: www.standardnuclear.com/
For SHINE: press@shinefusion.com
For Standard Nuclear: StandardNuclear@icrinc.com
