UK Atomic Energy Authority and Eni have announced Canadian engineering firm Kinectrics as the design and fabrication partner for the UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility in Oxfordshire.
The H3AT facility, based at Culham Campus, is expected to become the world’s largest and most advanced tritium fuel cycle research centre when fully commissioned in 2030. Construction is expected to be completed in 2028.
The project focuses on developing technologies needed to handle and recycle tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen considered essential for future fusion power generation.
Kinectrics, headquartered in Canada, brings decades of experience in tritium systems, nuclear engineering and complex energy infrastructure. Its role will include supporting the design, manufacturing and integration of specialist tritium-handling technologies.
These include an Atmospheric Detritiation System to recover tritium from gas waste streams, a Water Detritiation System for tritiated water recovery, and specialist gloveboxes designed to safely contain developmental equipment.
Project partners say the collaboration combines UKAEA’s fusion research expertise, Eni’s industrial-scale delivery experience and Kinectrics’ technical capability in isotopic process systems.
Sarah Clark, Director of Tritium Fuel Cycle Division at UKAEA and UKAEA-Eni H3AT Tritium Loop Facility sponsor, said:
“We are delighted that Kinectrics will join our integrated project team as the H3AT Tritium Loop Facility’s fabrication partner. Having the right partners is essential for H3AT’s design and development to be successful, and Kinectrics’ experience with tritium, fusion and adjacent sectors complements what we already have from UKAEA and Eni.
“This multinational collaboration will further develop Culham Campus and the UK more widely as an unrivalled location for fusion energy research and development.”
Francesca Ferrazza, Head of Magnetic Fusion Initiatives at Eni, said:
“Eni supports the development of fusion energy as a breakthrough in the energy transition path. This international partnership reinforces the status of the H3AT facility bringing together world class experts to meet crucial technical objectives related to the tritium fuel cycle and extends Eni’s commitment to the industrialization of fusion energy.”
Nisa Halsey, Vice President of Nuclear Equipment and Tooling at Kinectrics, said:
“As the fusion industry matures, the H3AT facility will become critical infrastructure to optimize the fusion fuel cycle.”
The partnership also builds on wider UK–Canada cooperation in fusion research under an existing government memorandum of understanding.
