US advanced nuclear technology company Oklo and Standard Nuclear, a producer of Triso nuclear fuel, have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore commercial collaboration on nuclear fuel recycling and advanced fuel manufacturing.

As part of that collaboration, the companies also intend to work together on the use of US surplus plutonium for advanced reactor fuel. This follows both companies’ recent selection by the US Department of Energy (DOE) among five firms for advanced negotiations under its surplus plutonium utilisation programme.

The DOE has said it has about 61.5 tonnes of weapons-grade plutonium as surplus to national security needs.

Oklo said the MOU with Oak-Ridge, Tennesee-based Standard Nuclear aligns with federal executive orders aimed at accelerating US nuclear energy deployment and establishing domestic supplies of critical nuclear materials and fuel.