Nikon SLM Solutions, CEA Launch AM Hub for Nuclear Sector

Nikon SLM Solutions and the French Atomic and Alternative Energies Commission (CEA) are launching MANTRA, a new joint innovation hub focused on data collection and demonstration for components produced by large additive manufacturing (AM) for nuclear energy applications.

As one of Europe’s leading research and technology organizations, CEA has been developing innovations for the nuclear sector for 80 years. Nikon SLM Solutions, a company focused on large-format metal additive manufacturing, is helping drive industrial-scale adoption of AM across energy, aerospace, and defense sectors, the company notes.

CEA and Nikon SLM Solutions will combine their expertise to accelerate deployment of metal AM for key industrial actors. The goal is to discover new opportunities for component design, material performance, and long-term sustainability.

The MANTRA hub will provide a dedicated framework for design, simulation, material, data collection and real-world testing — addressing the requirements of the nuclear industry while helping open up broader use of additive manufacturing in other high-reliability fields.

“MANTRA reflects our long-term strategy to enable additive manufacturing where it truly matters,” says Sam O’Leary, CEO of Nikon SLM Solutions. “Partnering with CEA—an institution globally recognized for its research leadership—gives us a strong foundation to help shape the future of energy infrastructure with metal AM at the core.”

As a joint platform, MANTRA will facilitate:

• Development of tailored AM process parameters for nuclear-grade materials
• Exploration of new geometries for large, tailored components—beyond the limits of traditional manufacturing methods
• Demonstration and proof-of-concept of materials properties for large-sized parts subjected to qualification under nuclear-relevant conditions
• Collaborative R&D with CEA’s extensive network of industrial and academic stakeholders

“With MANTRA, we aim to turn additive manufacturing into a competitive and trusted solution for the nuclear industry,” says Stéphanie Riché, Circular Economy of Materials program manager at CEA. “The collaboration with Nikon SLM Solutions gives us access to world-leading technology, here in Europe, and the ability to co-develop solutions that align with the rigorous standards of our sector and will benefit industrial actors in Europe and beyond.”

The initiative will be officially presented at the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in Paris this November, where both organizations will host a joint workshop to discuss the role of additive manufacturing in building efficient energy systems. This project marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, with MANTRA expected to become a cornerstone in the European effort to modernize nuclear manufacturing through innovation and advanced materials.

About CEA
CEA is a French public research organization dedicated to empowering European companies with innovative scientific and technological solutions. www.cea.fr

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.