United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory chooses Actemium UK as strategic partner for advancing nuclear energy independence plans

1 June 2026, UK – Actemium Design UK, part of Actemium UK, has been selected by United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) as its Strategic Design Partner (SDP) to support the development of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) capability at UKNNL’s Springfields site. This four-year partnership framework will provide engineering design support to help develop this critical UK capability.

This contract award will support UKNNL in advancing the R&D needed to develop a UK sovereign capability to produce HALEU in the quantities required to fuel the next generation of advanced modular nuclear reactors. Currently, only two other nations are capable of producing HALEU at commercial scale.

Actemium Design UK will leverage its extensive expertise in process, mechanical, and electrical, control and instrumentation (EC&I) engineering to help UKNNL develop the new process. The work will include defining the technical scope, producing scheme and detailed designs, and shaping the overall manufacturing approach. Actemium’s project leadership and expertise will be augmented by support from DBD Ltd, providing process engineering and safety expertise, and NIS Ltd, contributing to manufacturing readiness.

UKNNL is the government’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, with a twofold mission: to enable and deliver nuclear outcomes for government, and to support growth of the UK nuclear sector. It plays a central role in maintaining the country’s nuclear fuel expertise, delivering research, innovation, and specialised facilities that support the nation’s clean energy ambitions and advanced fuel development. It is presently expanding its support to the development of advanced fuels, including HALEU.

Brian Berry, Business Unit General Manager at Actemium Design UK, said: “It is a privilege for Actemium UK to contribute to a project of such national importance in supporting the development of the UK’s future nuclear fuel programme. We have almost 40 years’ proven experience of engineering design in the nuclear sector. For this project with UKNNL, we will be employing our full technical capability and experience. We are committed to applying the innovative, pragmatic approach we are known for to ensure this design project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.”

James Murphy, Chief Customer officer at UKNNL added: “Actemium UK’s strong credentials, extensive experience in requirements capture, and their specialist expertise in nuclear fuels and engineering will be valuable in developing the next generation of nuclear fuels. Their team brings the depth of process knowledge and collaborative approach needed to develop the right solutions. We’re delighted to support nuclear skills in the northwest too, strengthened by Actemium UK’s proximity to the Springfields site where nuclear fuel is manufactured and where UKNNL’s focus will be centred.”

With nearly four decades of experience in some of the UK’s most complex and highly regulated nuclear environments, Actemium UK delivers specialist electrical, mechanical, automation and process engineering solutions across decommissioning, defence, fuel, R&D and new build programmes. Trusted by government organisations and major nuclear contractors alike, Actemium UK combines deep sector expertise with end-to-end delivery capability – from design and digital engineering through to installation, commissioning, and lifecycle support. Recent milestones include the award of a new Distributed Control System (DCS) project for Sellafield’s Waste Packaging and Encapsulation Plant (WPEP), and appointment as a Preferred Partner on the Sellafield PPP Design Supplier Network (DSN).

PHOTO: Provided with permission by UKNNL Caption: Aerial view of the Springfields site with UKNNL Preston Laboratories in the background at right