![[Copenhagen_Atomics.png|300]] Website: [copenhagenatomics.com](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/) ### Introduction Copenhagen Atomics is a Danish nuclear technology company founded in 2014 by engineers Thomas Jam Pedersen, Aslak Stubsgaard, Thomas Steenberg, and Peter Szabo. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, the company is driven by a mission to deliver clean, cheap, safe, and abundant energy through thorium-based molten salt breeder reactors, with the goal of making nuclear energy more affordable than any alternative. While specific employee counts are not publicly available in the latest data, the company has been noted for its focused team of engineers and innovators working on advanced nuclear solutions. Copenhagen Atomics operates as a private company, with no publicly traded shares or ticker symbol. Its focus on mass-manufactured, compact reactor designs positions it as a key player in the emerging field of advanced nuclear energy, particularly in the context of global efforts to transition to sustainable energy sources. The company's innovative approach to thorium fuel cycles and modular reactor technology has garnered attention in the nuclear industry, especially as it seeks to address challenges related to cost, safety, and nuclear waste. ### Key Products and Technology - **Name and Type**: Onion Core® Reactor (Molten Salt Breeder Reactor) - **Technical Specifications**: Designed to fit within a standard 40-foot shipping container, enabling factory production at scale (up to one unit per day in mass production scenarios). Specific power output details are not fully disclosed, but recent reports suggest a target of 100 MW per unit for future commercial designs [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/danish-firm-molten-salt-reactor-funding). - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: Thorium fuel cycle, utilizing molten salt as both coolant and fuel carrier. - **Key Differentiators**: Compact, containerized design for mass manufacturing; ability to recycle nuclear waste; inherent safety features due to molten salt's high thermal stability and low-pressure operation; potential cost reductions through factory production. - **Development Stage**: Currently in the prototype phase with two full-scale non-fission prototypes built and over 10,000 operating days logged on key subsystems (pumps, heat exchangers, salt purification units). A third prototype is under development, with plans for a first nuclear test reactor in partnership with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland by 2026 [Copenhagen Atomics News](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/news/copenhagen-atomics-awarded-funding-by-eic-accelerator/). - **Target Customers**: Industrial sectors requiring heat and electricity, such as desalination, hydrogen production, and ammonia synthesis; potential applications for utilities and government-backed energy projects. Copenhagen Atomics also offers commercial technologies like pumped molten salt loops and highly purified salts for research and high-temperature solar power applications, showcasing a diversified approach to molten salt technology [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Atomics). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Copenhagen Atomics is pursuing a hardware-driven, iterative approach to reactor development rather than a traditional full design license and approval process. This strategy focuses on component-by-component testing and validation, which may streamline regulatory interactions in the long term. However, specific details on Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) applications or equivalent European regulatory statuses are not publicly detailed in the latest information, as the company operates primarily under European and Danish frameworks. Key regulatory milestones include the planned nuclear test reactor at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland by 2026, which will likely involve coordination with Swiss and potentially EU nuclear regulators like Euratom for safeguards and licensing frameworks. The company’s recent funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator also supports the development of its licensing framework, a critical step toward commercial rollout [Copenhagen Atomics News](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/news/copenhagen-atomics-awarded-funding-by-eic-accelerator/). The estimated timeline for first commercial deployment remains speculative but is likely in the early 2030s, contingent on successful testing and regulatory approvals. The lack of detailed public data on regulatory filings suggests that the company is still in pre-application or early engagement stages with relevant authorities. ### Team and Leadership - **Thomas Jam Pedersen**: Co-founder and likely key strategic leader (specific role not publicly specified in recent data). Background in engineering with a focus on nuclear innovation. - **Aslak Stubsgaard**: Co-founder, technical expertise in reactor design and molten salt technology. - **Thomas Steenberg**: Co-founder, involved in engineering and development processes. - **Peter Szabo**: Co-founder, contributing to the technical and operational vision of the company. Specific executive titles and detailed bios are limited in public sources, and no verified X handles for these individuals are confirmed in the available data. The leadership team’s engineering background underscores Copenhagen Atomics’ focus on technical innovation over traditional corporate structures at this stage. ### Funding and Financial Position Copenhagen Atomics has recently secured significant funding through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program, announced on July 2, 2025. While the exact amount of the funding was not specified in public reports, it is intended to support manufacturing infrastructure, supply chain development, and licensing frameworks critical for commercial rollout [Copenhagen Atomics News](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/news/copenhagen-atomics-awarded-funding-by-eic-accelerator/). Prior funding rounds and total capital raised are not comprehensively detailed in the latest accessible information, reflecting the private nature of the company. As a private entity, there is no market cap or stock performance data available. Key backers include the EIC, indicating strong institutional support from European innovation programs. The company remains in a pre-revenue stage, focusing on prototype development and testing rather than commercial contracts or operational revenue streams at this time. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 1, 2025 | Danish Nuclear Alliance Launch | Copenhagen Atomics likely involved in a coalition of industry leaders and research institutions to promote nuclear energy in Denmark, as noted in posts on X [@sollidnuclear](https://x.com/sollidnuclear). | | Aug 26, 2025 | Engineering Review for Floating Nuclear Plants | Initiated review for ocean-power floating nuclear plants, highlighting international opportunities [NucNet](https://www.nucnet.org/news/copenhagen-atomics-begins-engineering-review-for-ocean-power-floating-nuclear-plants-8-2-2025). | | Jul 5, 2025 | EIC Funding for Thorium Reactors | Secured funding for 100 MW thorium molten salt reactors, supporting factory-built designs [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/danish-firm-molten-salt-reactor-funding). | | Jul 2, 2025 | EIC Accelerator Funding Awarded | Funding to advance manufacturing, supply chain, and licensing for commercial rollout [Copenhagen Atomics News](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/news/copenhagen-atomics-awarded-funding-by-eic-accelerator/). | | Jan 13, 2025 | Progress to Mass Production | Advancements reported in mass production of molten salt reactors, emphasizing scalability [NextBigFuture](https://www.nextbigfuture.com/2025/01/copenhagen-atomics-progressing-to-mass-production-of-molten-salt-nuclear-reactors.html). | | Jan 7, 2025 | Key Milestones and PSI Partnership | Reached milestones including partnership with Paul Scherrer Institute for first live test reactor [BFI Capital](https://www.bficapital.com/blog/a-nuclear-renaissance). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland**: Research and testing partnership for the first nuclear test reactor, scheduled for 2026. This collaboration is strategically vital for validating the Onion Core® design under real-world conditions and advancing regulatory credibility [Copenhagen Atomics News](https://www.copenhagenatomics.com/news/copenhagen-atomics-awarded-funding-by-eic-accelerator/). - **DeepGeo, USA**: Collaboration to better understand radioactive materials and fuel needs for thorium molten salt reactors. This partnership enhances Copenhagen Atomics’ ability to address waste management and fuel cycle challenges [World Nuclear News](https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/copenhagen-atomics-deepgeo-agree-to-collaborate). These partnerships reflect a focus on international collaboration, leveraging expertise in nuclear research and waste management to accelerate development and deployment. ### New Hampshire Relevance Copenhagen Atomics’ technology could have potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]], particularly given the state’s existing nuclear infrastructure at [[Seabrook Station]] and its integration into the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid. The compact, modular nature of the Onion Core® reactor design could suit smaller-scale deployments near existing grid infrastructure, minimizing transmission losses and leveraging Seabrook’s operational expertise. However, the technology’s readiness—still in prototype and testing phases with commercial deployment likely in the 2030s—does not align with near-term NH deployment timelines. New Hampshire’s legislative initiatives, such as HB 710 which explores advanced nuclear options and small modular reactors (SMRs), align broadly with Copenhagen Atomics’ focus on modular, innovative reactor designs. Potential applications include grid power to support ISO-NE’s decarbonization goals, high-energy data center loads in the region, and industrial heat for manufacturing sectors. There is no direct evidence of Copenhagen Atomics expressing interest in the Northeast US or NH specifically, though their exploration of floating nuclear plants suggests flexibility in deployment locations [NucNet](https://www.nucnet.org/news/copenhagen-atomics-begins-engineering-review-for-ocean-power-floating-nuclear-plants-8-2-2025). Establishing connections with NH stakeholders or ISO-NE could be a future step if the company targets North American markets. ### Competitive Position Copenhagen Atomics competes with other advanced nuclear technology developers such as: - **[[Terrestrial Energy]] (Canada)**: Focuses on Integral Molten Salt Reactors (IMSR) with a more advanced regulatory status in Canada, having cleared initial hurdles. Copenhagen Atomics’ advantage lies in its thorium focus and containerized design for mass production, though it lags in regulatory progress. - **[[Seaborg Technologies]] (Denmark)**: Another Danish firm developing molten salt reactors, with partnerships like Samsung for floating reactors. Copenhagen Atomics differentiates through its waste recycling focus and compact design, but Seaborg may have a head start in specific applications like marine power. - **[[NuScale Power]] (USA)**: Specializes in light-water SMRs with NRC design certification achieved. [[NuScale Power|NuScale]] is closer to commercial deployment, while Copenhagen Atomics’ molten salt and thorium approach offers longer-term safety and fuel cycle benefits but faces greater technical and regulatory uncertainty. Key risks for Copenhagen Atomics include delays in testing and licensing, as well as competition from more established SMR technologies. Its unique advantage is the potential for cost-effective, scalable production and waste reduction through thorium use. ### Closing Note Copenhagen Atomics is at a promising prototype stage with a clear trajectory toward testing and eventual commercial deployment of thorium-based molten salt reactors, bolstered by recent funding and strategic partnerships. *Report generated December 24, 2025*