Korean DL E&C to enter SMR biz with Canada’s Terrestrial

South Korea’s construction company DL E&C Co. is set to make inroads into the small modular reactor (SMR) business for future growth in cooperation with a Canadian small reactor vendor Terrestrial Energy Inc.

DL E&C and Terrestrial said they have agreed to cooperate in the development and deployment of the Canadian company’s integral molten salt reactor (IMSR) cogeneration plant in the industrial sector.

Both companies plan to accelerate the development and deployment of IMSR plants that produce cost-competitive, carbon-free thermal energy for specific industrial applications, notably in the chemical and petrochemical sectors, where DL E&C excels in design and construction, according to Terrestrial on Tuesday.

“DL E&C’s deep industrial reach across global markets will aid Terrestrial Energy as we advance commercial IMSR plant deployment,” Terrestrial Chief Executive Simon Irish said in a statement.

The IMSR plant is capable of grid-based electric power generation and industrial cogeneration in many energy-intensive industries, including petrochemical and chemical synthesis for hydrogen and ammonia production.

DL E&C, a unit of DL Group, formerly known as Daelim, plans to nurture the SMR - a type of nuclear fission reactor – sector as one of its future growth businesses with a target to develop an IMSR plant that provides power and thermal energy for industries, utilizing its expertise in the petrochemical plant development business.

TO COMMERCIALIZE IMSR PLANT BY 2031

Terrestrial, founded in 2012, is developing for near-term commercial operation, a zero-emissions cogeneration plant for global industry using its proprietary IMSR fission technology in an innovative, small and modular plant design.

The IMSR plant uses molten salt as coolant and fuel, which contrasts with water circulating through a highly pressurized cooling system and solid fuel, both of which are the signature features of conventional nuclear power plants.

Molten salt is thermally very stable, making them superior coolants compared to water and allowing lower pressure and high-temperature operation.

Terrestrial is the leading player in the licensing stage among the fourth-generation reactor developers. The company, which is backed by public and private funds, aims to commercialize the IMSR plant by 2031.

Write to Hye-In Lee at hey@hankyung.com
Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.