FRANCE; SWEDEN —Swedish advanced manufacturing company Freemelt has received a SEK 3.3 million order from French engineering supplier Alsymex to produce specialised tungsten components for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) programme. The order covers subassemblies comprising tungsten bricks joined to copper substrates, which will undergo further bonding and high heat flux testing as part of the Small Scale Mock-up (SSMK) qualification programme. Final delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
The assignment forms part of the preparatory work to qualify tungsten for use in plasma-facing reactor components. ITER has decided to transition from beryllium to tungsten in these applications, increasing the need to assess the material's performance and the reliability of component manufacturing processes under demanding operating conditions. Tungsten's ability to withstand extremely high temperatures makes it a candidate material for components exposed to intense thermal loads inside fusion reactors.
The qualification activity is relevant to the wider fusion energy supply chain, where component manufacturers, engineering contractors and research organisations must establish validated materials and production methods before technologies can be deployed in reactor systems. The testing of tungsten and copper assemblies will contribute to evaluating component performance under high heat flux conditions, although the order itself does not represent a commitment for commercial reactor deployment.
Alsymex, part of France-based technology group ALCEN, supplies technologies for ITER and has agreements with Fusion for Energy (F4E), the European organisation responsible for coordinating Europe's contribution to the international project. Its activities include plasma-facing components and other reactor-related systems. The company employs more than 600 people across six industrial sites in France.
For Freemelt, the contract adds an ITER-linked qualification assignment to its manufacturing activity and extends its work in advanced tungsten applications. The company develops electron beam powder bed fusion technology and manufactures specialised metal components for industrial and research customers. Its involvement spans material and process development through component qualification and production.
The order follows Freemelt's previously announced SEK 55 million manufacturing order from F4E for tungsten-based components for the JT-60SA fusion programme. Together, the assignments demonstrate opportunities for specialised manufacturers supplying the developing fusion sector, while also highlighting the technical qualification requirements and long development timelines associated with advanced reactor components.
