Solstice Advanced Materials announced Feb. 10 plans to expand uranium conversion production at its Metropolis Works facility in Illinois. The move comes in response to rising demand from the nuclear energy sector.
The Morris Plans-headquartered company said it expects the facility to produce more than 10 kilotonnes of uranium hexafluoride (UF₆) in 2026. The figure represents an increase of about 20% from its planned 2024 capacity.
Metropolis Works is the only UF₆ conversion facility in the United States. That distinction makes it a key part of the domestic nuclear fuel supply chain. The output is later enriched and fabricated into nuclear fuel, which powers reactors generating nearly 20% of U.S. electricity. It represents the largest single source of carbon-free energy in the country, according to the World Nuclear Association.
The expansion follows debottlenecking investments made after the facility restarted operations in 2023.
Solstice said the U.S. Department of Energy supports the effort, in part. Long-term customer contracts, including orders from U.S. utility companies, also drive the work. The company pointed to its backlog of over $2 billion in such orders.
The company says the expansion aligns with federal goals to significantly increase nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
Stepping up to feed supply
NJBIZ has reported extensively on rising energy demand. The situation has led to calls for more of an all-of-the-above approach to generating the energy needed to meet that demand – including more nuclear capacity.
Solstice has operated its proprietary conversion process for more than 60 years. The Metropolis Works facility is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission through 2060. ConverDyn exclusively markets all UF₆ produced there. That entity represents a partnership between Solstice and General Atomics.
“Solstice has stepped up production of UF6, a critical component in the nuclear fuel supply chain, with the support of disciplined capital investments and improved operational excellence at our Metropolis Works facility,” said Solstice President and CEO David Sewell. “Leveraging our 60-plus years of operational excellence, industry leadership and proprietary expertise, we are exceedingly well-positioned to ensure our capacity to produce converted uranium is aligned with the industry and its rapid expansion.”
In addition to the production increase, Solstice says it’s evaluating further debottlenecking projects, as well as potential new capacity investments at the Illinois site. The company has retained an engineering, procurement and construction firm to conduct an initial engineering analysis – and has begun long-term supply discussions with customers.
Advanced Materials became an independent, publicly traded company in October after completing its spinoff from Honeywell.
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