Newcleo opens a new design office in the Vaucluse

The European startup Newcleo is one of the major players in the renewal of the nuclear industry. It was founded in 2021 by Stefano Buono, a physicist and co-founder of a BioTech firm listed on Nasdaq (Advanced Accelerator Application), Luciano Cinotti, a nuclear engineer who holds numerous patents in the field, and Elisabeth Rizzotti, a physicist.

Newcleo is developing next-generation small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) using recycled fuel. Its innovative technology makes it possible to respond to the main challenges of the sector: safety, costs and waste. The startup is the winner of the “France 2030” call for projects entitled “Innovative nuclear reactors”.

It plans to invest nearly €3 billion in France in the form of industrial investments, R&D and engineering, with the aim of the project being to create a demonstration reactor and a fuel manufacturing plant. Its overall ambition is to take action in favor of the energy transition and French and European energy independence.

Already established in Turin, London and Lyon, Newcleo opened a new design office in the Vaucluse area in 2023, with the aim being to design the future fuel manufacturing plant for its reactors. The strategic location of Avignon, at the crossroads of several major sites in the nuclear field (Marcoule, Cadarache and Tricastin) makes it the preferred destination for attracting qualified talent. This opening will enable 100 people to be recruited by the end of 2024. Newcleo benefited from the support of risingSUD and Vaucluse Provence Attractivité throughout its implementation journey. 

“At Newcleo, we are proud of our strategic expansion in France and more recently in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, particularly in Avignon. This establishment strengthens our commitment to regional development and our desire to actively contribute to the French energy transition. We are convinced that our revolutionary technology will open new avenues for a sustainable energy future and we are determined to be a leading player in this movement.”

Ludovic Vandendriesche - Managing Director at Newcleo SA