Oklo and Centrus Explore Joint Venture to Strengthen HALEU Deconversion and Nuclear Fuel Supply Chain in Ohio
Oklo Inc. and Centrus Energy Corp. have announced plans to begin discussions on a potential joint venture aimed at expanding high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) deconversion services and advancing the broader nuclear fuel supply chain in the United States. The collaboration would focus on establishing new capabilities at Centrus’ facility in Piketon, located in Pike County in southern Ohio, a site already associated with uranium enrichment activities and close to Oklo’s planned advanced nuclear power campus.
The proposed initiative represents an important step toward strengthening domestic nuclear fuel infrastructure at a time when demand for advanced nuclear technologies is accelerating. As the energy sector increasingly turns to advanced reactors to support clean electricity generation and long-term decarbonization strategies, the availability of specialized nuclear fuels such as HALEU has become a critical issue for the industry.
Building a Stronger Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle
HALEU—uranium enriched to higher levels than traditional nuclear reactor fuel—plays a crucial role in many next-generation reactor designs. These advanced reactors often require enriched uranium levels between 5% and 20%, significantly higher than the fuel used in conventional nuclear power plants. However, producing usable fuel for these reactors involves multiple specialized steps in the nuclear fuel cycle.
After uranium ore is mined and processed, the material undergoes enrichment to increase the concentration of the fissile uranium-235 isotope. Once enriched, the uranium must then be converted into a different chemical form suitable for fuel fabrication. This stage, known as deconversion, typically transforms uranium hexafluoride gas into solid compounds such as uranium oxide or uranium metal before it can be manufactured into reactor fuel assemblies.
The potential joint venture between Oklo and Centrus would focus specifically on expanding deconversion capabilities for HALEU. By locating these services directly alongside existing enrichment operations in Piketon, the companies aim to create a more integrated and efficient fuel production process.
Strategic Co-Location at Piketon
Centrus already operates enrichment technology at its Piketon site, making it a logical location for further fuel-cycle development. The facility is also adjacent to Oklo’s planned 1.2-gigawatt advanced nuclear power campus, which is expected to play a role in the company’s long-term energy deployment strategy.
Co-locating enrichment and deconversion services could significantly reduce logistical complexity and operational costs. Instead of transporting enriched uranium across multiple facilities for further processing, the material could move through multiple stages of the fuel cycle at a single location. This integration has the potential to streamline production while strengthening domestic supply chains.
Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and chief executive officer of Oklo, emphasized that building a reliable nuclear fuel cycle is essential for the broader deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
According to DeWitte, advanced reactors cannot succeed without the supporting infrastructure required to supply their specialized fuels. He noted that the proposed collaboration framework with Centrus would allow both companies to explore pathways for expanding deconversion capacity while reinforcing domestic nuclear fuel supply chains and improving overall efficiency.
Addressing a Key Bottleneck in Nuclear Expansion
Industry leaders have increasingly highlighted the limited availability of HALEU fuel as one of the primary obstacles to scaling advanced nuclear energy technologies. While several advanced reactor designs are currently being developed across the United States, few facilities are capable of producing the specialized fuel they require.
Centrus President and Chief Executive Officer Amir Vexler stated that rebuilding America’s nuclear fuel-cycle infrastructure is a priority for the company. He explained that expanding services such as enrichment and deconversion is essential to supporting the next generation of nuclear power systems.
Vexler added that the company is eager to explore opportunities to scale deconversion capabilities alongside enrichment operations. Such an approach, he said, could improve operational efficiency while helping meet the growing demand for advanced nuclear fuel.
Benefits of a Centralized Deconversion Hub
One of the most significant potential outcomes of the proposed joint venture is the creation of a centralized deconversion hub serving multiple advanced reactor developers.
Currently, each advanced reactor technology may require its own dedicated fuel fabrication facility tailored to the specific fuel form required by that reactor design. Without centralized deconversion services, each of these fabrication plants would need to incorporate its own deconversion capabilities, increasing complexity and costs.
By establishing a shared facility at Piketon, Oklo and Centrus believe the industry could benefit from a more efficient model. A centralized deconversion hub would allow fuel fabrication facilities to receive processed uranium in the appropriate chemical form without investing in their own deconversion infrastructure.
This approach could significantly enhance the competitiveness of the advanced nuclear sector by lowering capital costs and reducing duplication of specialized facilities across the industry.
In addition to cost efficiencies, the hub could also simplify the transportation of HALEU materials. Shipping enriched uranium in a processed form directly from a centralized facility would help streamline logistics and potentially improve safety and regulatory compliance.
Collaboration with Government and Research Institutions
As discussions around the joint venture progress, the companies plan to explore opportunities to coordinate regulatory efforts and research activities. This includes engaging with federal agencies to develop frameworks that support the co-location of enrichment and deconversion services.
Regulatory alignment is particularly important for nuclear fuel facilities, which operate under strict safety and security requirements. Early coordination with government authorities could help streamline licensing processes and ensure that new facilities meet all regulatory standards.
The collaboration is also expected to involve research and development initiatives aimed at advancing nuclear fuel-cycle technologies. By working together on R&D programs, Oklo and Centrus hope to improve processing methods, reduce costs, and strengthen long-term supply chain resilience.
Supporting Regional Economic Development
Beyond its technical and industrial implications, the potential project could also contribute to regional economic development in southern Ohio.
The Piketon site sits within the footprint of the former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a historic uranium enrichment facility that once played a central role in the United States’ nuclear industry. Efforts are now underway to repurpose thousands of acres surrounding the site for new economic opportunities.
A key organization involved in this transformation is the Southern Ohio Diversification Initiative (SODI), a nonprofit group working to redevelop the former plant site into a hub for advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, and research facilities.
The potential Oklo–Centrus collaboration aligns closely with these redevelopment goals. Establishing new nuclear fuel infrastructure at Piketon could attract additional investment, support job creation, and strengthen the region’s position as a center for advanced energy innovation.
Strengthening U.S. Energy Security
The proposed joint venture also reflects broader national priorities surrounding energy security and supply chain independence. In recent years, policymakers and industry leaders have called for increased domestic capacity in the nuclear fuel cycle to reduce reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium.
By expanding enrichment and deconversion services within the United States, Oklo and Centrus aim to support these strategic goals while enabling the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors that could provide reliable, carbon-free power for decades to come.
While discussions between the companies are still in the early stages, the initiative signals growing momentum across the nuclear sector to address fuel supply challenges and accelerate the transition to next-generation energy systems.
If realized, the joint venture could become a cornerstone of America’s emerging HALEU fuel ecosystem—helping unlock the full potential of advanced nuclear technologies and supporting the country’s long-term clean energy ambitions.
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