Freemelt secures €300,000 F4E contract for tungsten manufacturing development
Freemelt, headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden, has signed a €300,000 contract with Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European Union organisation responsible for Europe’s contribution to ITER and the development of fusion energy. Awarded through a competitive procurement process, the contract forms part of F4E’s Technology Development Programme, covering the development of manufacturing methods for tungsten-based fusion components, including powder processing and material optimisation.
Tungsten is used in fusion reactors because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and demanding operating conditions. However, manufacturing tungsten components can be complex and costly. The project will therefore focus on improving production efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs ahead of potential industrial deployment in fusion energy applications.
“The contract is an important validation of our expertise in tungsten processing and Additive Manufacturing. It demonstrates our ability to compete for and win strategically important development projects that support the future industrialisation of fusion energy technologies,” stated Daniel Gidlund, CEO of Freemelt.
Freemelt develops application expertise, process knowledge, and materials expertise for fusion applications through its Production Systems business, working with customers and research organisations. Freemelt stated that the work could support subsequent industrialisation activities within its Manufacturing business.
Freemelt also recently received an order from F4E with a base value of SEK 55 million to manufacture and deliver 33,000 tungsten-based components for the JT-60SA fusion experiment. The order involves the use of Additive Manufacturing methods for high-melting-point metals.
Together, the two contracts cover activities ranging from material and process development to the manufacture of tungsten-based components for fusion applications.
