Birchwood-based Jacobs has joined the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC), based at the University of Sheffield, to drive innovation in advanced nuclear technologies.

As a tier-one member of the Nuclear AMRC, part of the U.K.’s High-Value Manufacturing Catapult, Jacobs will collaborate on manufacturing and material engineering projects for new build, decommissioning, equipment qualification and cyber.

“We aim to add value to the Nuclear AMRC’s work with U.K. manufacturers, helping them to win work in the nuclear supply chain and meet nuclear industry requirements through innovation and business improvement. This work will also strengthen Jacobs’ U.K. supply chain and supports the U.K.’s long-term nuclear vision,” said Jacobs Vice President for Technology and Cyber Solutions Greg Willetts. “Among many synergies, the Nuclear AMRC’s knowledge of the latest manufacturing technologies will increase Jacobs’ capability to develop novel manufacturing systems and product solutions for our clients, while the breadth of our involvement in the nuclear market will benefit the Nuclear AMRC.”

“New nuclear power plants will play a crucial part in reaching the U.K.’s net zero carbon emissions target, and we will work with Jacobs to help ensure that new reactor designs can be produced efficiently and cost-effectively by the U.K. supply chain,” said Nuclear AMRC Chief Executive Officer Andrew Storer. “Future designs of small and advanced modular reactors, including fusion reactors, will require a range of novel materials and manufacturing techniques. Our new relationship with Jacobs will help us build code cases for these new techniques to demonstrate to the regulators that they are safe to use.”