UK-based Newcleo has signed an agreement with Italy-based Maire Tecnimont subsidiaries NextChem Tech and Tecnimont to use its nuclear reactors to decarbonise the chemical industry, including hydrogen production, the two companies said on Wednesday.

Newcleo, which was founded by Italian physicist and alumnus of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern) Stefano Buono, is developing Generation IV small modular reactors.

“Small or advanced modular reactors have the potential not only to serve electricity production, but also to have industrial applications,” said Buono, who is the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.