GLE Completes TRL-6 Uranium Enrichment Testing, Eyes US Market
Global Laser Enrichment, Silex’s exclusive licensee, has completed large-scale uranium enrichment testing, advancing the SILEX technology closer to commercial deployment in the US nuclear fuel market.
- GLE completes TRL-6 large-scale uranium enrichment demonstration
- Continued production of low enriched uranium through 2025
- Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility under NRC licensing review
- Over US$550 million invested in US-based enrichment infrastructure
- Potential to supply advanced nuclear fuels including HALEU
A Breakthrough in Uranium Enrichment Technology
Silex Systems Limited has announced a significant technical milestone achieved by its exclusive US licensee, Global Laser Enrichment (GLE). The completion of large-scale demonstration testing at the TRL-6 level marks a critical step toward commercialising the SILEX laser-based uranium enrichment technology. Conducted at GLE’s Test Loop facility in Wilmington, North Carolina, the campaign has generated extensive performance data that bolsters confidence in the technology’s readiness for industrial deployment.
Advancing Domestic Nuclear Fuel Production
GLE plans to continue its demonstration program throughout 2025, producing hundreds of kilograms of low enriched uranium (LEU). This ongoing activity supports the build-out of a domestic US manufacturing base and supply chain, a strategic priority amid growing interest in nuclear energy’s role in clean power generation. The Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) in Kentucky, currently under review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is poised to become the first new enrichment plant licensed in the US in decades.
Strategic Investment and Market Potential
To date, GLE and its partners have invested over US$550 million in engineering, design, and manufacturing infrastructure across North Carolina and Kentucky. Once operational, the PLEF is expected to re-enrich depleted uranium tails from the US Department of Energy, producing up to 6 million separative work units of LEU annually. This capacity could provide a critical domestic source of enriched uranium, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and supporting the expanding fleet of current and next-generation nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors.
Looking Beyond LEU, Advanced Nuclear Fuels
The SILEX technology’s versatility extends beyond conventional LEU. It holds promise for producing high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU), a fuel type essential for advanced reactors under development. This positions Silex and GLE at the forefront of nuclear fuel innovation, potentially shaping the future of nuclear energy supply chains in the US and globally.
Navigating Risks and Regulatory Hurdles
Despite the progress, commercial deployment remains contingent on several factors, including successful completion of the TRL-6 independent assessment, regulatory approvals, market conditions, and government support. Geopolitical tensions, evolving nuclear policies, and competition from alternative technologies add layers of complexity to the path ahead. Silex’s management acknowledges these uncertainties but remains optimistic about the technology’s commercial prospects.
Bottom Line?
As GLE advances toward licensing and scale-up, the nuclear fuel market watches closely for SILEX’s next moves.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the Nuclear Regulatory Commission complete its review of the Paducah facility license?
- How will global uranium market dynamics affect the commercial viability of SILEX technology?
- What are the timelines and prospects for scaling production of advanced fuels like HALEU?
