Website: [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com) ### Introduction LeadCold Reactors, now operating under the name Blykalla, is a Swedish company founded in 2013 by Janne Wallenius, Peter Szakalos, and Jesper Ejenstam. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Blykalla focuses on the development of advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor technology to provide clean, safe, and sustainable nuclear energy. While specific employee count data is not publicly available as of the latest updates, the company is known to have a compact, specialized team of nuclear engineers and researchers driving its innovation. Its mission is to industrialize cutting-edge nuclear research into deployable energy solutions, with a vision to contribute to global decarbonization through next-generation nuclear power. Blykalla is a private company, with no public stock listing or ticker symbol. The company has emerged from academic research roots, particularly tied to the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, where its founders have conducted extensive work on lead-cooled reactor designs. This background positions Blykalla as a technology-driven entity focused on bridging the gap between theoretical advancements and practical, commercial nuclear energy applications [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). ### Key Products and Technology Blykalla is primarily focused on a single flagship technology, detailed below: - **Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER)** - Small Modular Reactor (SMR), Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) - **Technical Specifications**: SEALER is designed to produce 3-10 MWe per unit, targeting smaller-scale energy needs with a compact footprint. The reactor operates at high temperatures, enhancing thermal efficiency compared to traditional light-water reactors, though exact efficiency figures are not publicly disclosed. - **Fuel Type**: Utilizes uranium nitride or uranium oxide fuel, designed to operate in a fast neutron spectrum, which allows for better fuel utilization and potential waste transmutation. - **Key Differentiators**: SEALER employs liquid lead as a coolant, which offers inherent safety advantages due to lead’s high boiling point, chemical inertness, and ability to retain radioactive materials in case of accidents. Its passive safety features reduce reliance on active systems, lowering operational risks. Additionally, the design aims for a long core life (up to 30 years without refueling), reducing maintenance and operational costs. - **Development Stage**: Currently in the design and pre-licensing phase, with ongoing efforts to refine the technology for regulatory submission. No operational units exist yet, but the company aims for prototype development in the coming decade. - **Target Customers**: Primarily remote communities, industrial facilities, and regions with limited grid infrastructure, such as Arctic areas in Canada or Scandinavia, where SEALER’s compact size and long fuel cycle are advantageous. Blykalla’s focus on lead-cooled technology positions it within a niche but promising segment of the nuclear industry, emphasizing safety and sustainability over large-scale power output [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a Swedish company, Blykalla’s SEALER reactor falls under the purview of European nuclear regulatory frameworks, primarily through the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and broader Euratom guidelines. The company is in the pre-application phase, working on design documentation and safety analyses to prepare for formal licensing. No specific submissions to regulatory bodies like the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have been reported, as Blykalla’s initial focus appears to be on European and Canadian markets, particularly for remote applications. Key regulatory milestones achieved include early-stage collaboration with Canadian authorities and research bodies to explore deployment in northern territories, though specific timelines remain unclear. Upcoming milestones likely involve submitting a detailed design for review to SSM or equivalent bodies within the next few years. The estimated timeline to first commercial deployment is speculative but could be in the early 2030s, assuming regulatory approvals and prototype testing proceed without significant delays. Information on regulatory progress is limited and based on general statements from the company’s website and related industry reports [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). ### Team and Leadership Blykalla’s leadership team is composed of academic and industry experts in nuclear engineering, reflecting its research-driven origins. Key figures include: - **Janne Wallenius** - Co-Founder and Chief Scientist: A professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Wallenius is a leading expert in lead-cooled fast reactors with extensive publications on nuclear materials and reactor design. He drives the technical vision for SEALER. - **Peter Szakalos** - Co-Founder and Materials Specialist: Also affiliated with KTH, Szakalos focuses on corrosion-resistant materials critical for lead-cooled systems, contributing to the reactor’s safety profile. - **Jesper Ejenstam** - Co-Founder and Engineering Lead: Ejenstam oversees the practical engineering aspects of transitioning SEALER from concept to deployable technology. Specific social media handles for these individuals are not publicly verified or widely available in the context of Blykalla, so they are omitted here. Leadership details are sourced from the company’s official website and related academic profiles [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). ### Funding and Financial Position Blykalla has secured funding primarily through research grants, government support, and private investments, though exact figures are not fully disclosed in public records. According to available data, the company has raised several million euros through European Union research programs and Swedish innovation funds, with a notable round in 2016-2017 tied to early SEALER development. Specific details on the latest funding round, including date and lead investors, are not publicly available as of the latest updates. As a private entity, Blykalla does not report market cap or stock performance. Key backers include academic institutions like KTH and potential strategic investors in the energy sector, though names are not specified in recent reports. The company remains pre-revenue, with no commercial contracts or operational reactors as of 2025. Financial transparency is limited, and much of the funding information is inferred from industry sources and historical announcements [seedtable.com](https://www.seedtable.com/startups/LeadCold-MNNWJ3M). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 23, 2025 | Industry Context Update | Lead-cooled reactor technology gains traction in Europe, with competitors like [[Newcleo]] submitting designs to Euratom, signaling a growing regulatory pathway for Blykalla’s SEALER [interestingengineering.com](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/lead-cooled-nuclear-reactor-design). | | Sep 25, 2025 | Related Technology Advancement | Russian scientists develop a new lead-based alloy for fourth-generation reactors, potentially benefiting Blykalla’s material research for SEALER (via posts on X). | | Apr 2025 | Industry Focus on SMRs | U.S. DOE highlights advancements in SMRs and fast reactors, underscoring the global relevance of Blykalla’s niche (via posts on X). | | Jan 8, 2025 | Competitive Benchmark | Russia’s Brest 300 lead-cooled fast reactor nears completion, setting a timeline benchmark for Blykalla’s development pace (via posts on X). | | 2025 (General)| Continued SEALER Development | Blykalla maintains focus on SEALER design refinement, though no specific milestones are reported this year [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). | Note: Due to limited direct news updates specific to Blykalla in 2025, some entries reflect broader industry trends and competitive developments relevant to the company’s trajectory. ### Partnerships and Collaborations Blykalla has engaged in early-stage collaborations, though detailed partnerships are not extensively documented in public sources. Notable connections include: - **Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)** - Research Collaboration: Blykalla has explored opportunities with CNL to assess SEALER’s suitability for remote Canadian regions. This partnership holds strategic value for validating the reactor’s applicability in harsh climates and off-grid settings. - **KTH Royal Institute of Technology** - Academic Partnership: As the origin of Blykalla’s technology, KTH provides ongoing research support, particularly in materials science and reactor simulations, crucial for SEALER’s development. No utility agreements or offtake contracts have been announced as of the latest information. The focus remains on research and pilot project discussions rather than commercial commitments [blykalla.com](https://www.blykalla.com). ### New Hampshire Relevance Blykalla’s SEALER reactor presents a speculative but intriguing fit for [[New Hampshire]], given the state’s existing nuclear infrastructure and energy needs. [[Seabrook Station]], New Hampshire’s sole nuclear power plant, provides a potential integration point for SMRs like SEALER into the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, especially for baseload stability or backup power. However, SEALER’s current technology readiness—still in design and pre-licensing—suggests it is not yet aligned with near-term deployment timelines in NH, likely post-2030 at earliest. The technology aligns with NH legislative initiatives like HB 710, which encourages exploration of advanced nuclear solutions, including SMRs, for clean energy goals. SEALER’s small output (3-10 MWe) could serve specific applications such as powering data centers (a growing load in the Northeast) or industrial heat for manufacturing hubs. Its passive safety features also match NH’s emphasis on low-risk energy solutions post-Seabrook regulatory scrutiny. While Blykalla has not expressed specific interest in NH or the Northeast U.S., its focus on remote and industrial applications could translate to regional opportunities if regulatory and partnership pathways emerge. Proximity to Canadian pilot projects may also indirectly influence Northeast interest. ### Competitive Position Blykalla faces competition in the lead-cooled fast reactor and SMR space from companies like: - **[[Newcleo]] (France/UK)**: Newcleo recently submitted its lead-cooled SMR design to Euratom for review, positioning it ahead of Blykalla in regulatory progress. Newcleo’s larger scale (targeting 200 MWe units) contrasts with SEALER’s micro-reactor focus, potentially appealing to different markets [interestingengineering.com](https://interestingengineering.com/energy/lead-cooled-nuclear-reactor-design). - **[[Westinghouse Electric Company|Westinghouse]] (eVinci Microreactor)**: [[Westinghouse Electric Company|Westinghouse]]’s eVinci, a heat-pipe cooled microreactor, targets similar remote and industrial applications with a more advanced development stage (pre-licensing in the U.S. and Canada). Blykalla’s lead-coolant safety edge may be a unique advantage, but it lags in market readiness. - **[[Rosatom]] (Russia)**: Russia’s Brest 300 lead-cooled fast reactor, nearing completion, showcases operational maturity in this technology class. Blykalla’s smaller, modular approach offers flexibility but faces risks from delayed timelines compared to state-backed giants (via posts on X). Blykalla’s niche in ultra-safe, small-scale lead-cooled reactors is a differentiator, but its early development stage and limited funding visibility pose competitive risks. ### Closing Note Blykalla remains in the design and pre-commercial phase with its SEALER reactor, showing promise for niche energy applications but facing a long road to deployment with an optimistic outlook in the 2030s. **RSS_FEED**: none (Note: No official RSS feed for press releases or news was found on Blykalla’s website or through related searches as of the latest available information.) *Report generated December 24, 2025*