United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) and the Henry Royce Institute have today published the UK Fission Materials Roadmap Interim Report, bringing together the collective expertise of over 100 specialists from 34 institutions to set out a strategic direction for UK fission materials research and development.
The interim report is extremely timely following the recent announcement that UKNNL, Rolls-Royce and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) will cooperate on developing advanced nuclear reactor and fuels technology. The recommendations in the interim report will help to shape the next generation of nuclear reactors which will power the UK’s nuclear future.
Among the report’s key findings are:
- The urgent need for guidance on preferred reactor concepts and in-service environments to enable prioritisation of materials research
- A decision within one to two years on whether the UK should build a domestic Materials Test Reactor
- The establishment of a National Materials Archive within five years to preserve irreplaceable irradiated material samples
- Long-term funding commitments of at least five years to support sustained research programmes.
Four major technical themes are set out in the report: Structural Materials, Fuels and Cladding, Disposability of Materials and Irradiation Damage. These sit alongside six cross-cutting priorities: skills, infrastructure, funding, qualification, modelling and policy. Together, they form the foundation of a full roadmap planned for publication in late 2026.
The roadmap has been developed through an extensive programme of expert workshops, including 21 deep-dive sessions generating 190 individual contributions from 87 participants, alongside a two-day in-person cross-cutting workshop at the Royce Hub in Manchester attended by 39 specialists from 15 institutions. Participants represented universities, industry, national laboratories, government and regulators.
Dr Gareth Headdock, Chief Science and Technology Officer and Deputy CEO of UKNNL, said:
“This interim report is the product of genuine collaboration across the UK nuclear sector. From structural steels to advanced fuels and waste disposability, we have identified the priorities that matter most and the decisions that cannot wait. UKNNL is committed to working with partners across government, industry and academia to turn this roadmap into action, and we welcome continued input as we develop the full roadmap later this year.
“The scale and quality of engagement we have seen throughout this process reflects the strength of the UK nuclear community and its shared ambition. With over 100 specialists contributing from 34 institutions, the breadth of expertise captured in this report is genuinely impressive.
“The decisions ahead — on reactor concepts, materials test infrastructure and long-term funding — are consequential ones, and it is vital that we get them right. We are determined to ensure that this roadmap translates into sustained research programmes, world-class infrastructure and the sovereign capability the UK needs to lead in nuclear energy for decades to come.”
Prof David Knowles, CEO of the Henry Royce Institute, said:
“The UK has a real opportunity to strengthen its global leadership in nuclear energy through world-class materials innovation. As the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation, the Henry Royce Institute, alongside our Royce Partner UKNNL, is proud to play a central role in bringing together expertise from industry, academia, national laboratories and government to develop this interim roadmap.
“The momentum behind the UK nuclear sector is clear. The recent trilateral Memorandums of Cooperation between Rolls-Royce, UKNNL and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, including High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Advanced Modular Reactors and next-generation Coated Particle Fuels, demonstrates the growing international confidence in UK nuclear capability. At the same time, the continued progress of Rolls-Royce SMR in securing commercial opportunities and advancing deployment highlights the strength of UK nuclear engineering and the scale of the opportunity ahead.
“By aligning with the UK Industrial Strategy, this interim roadmap provides a shared direction for strengthening the sovereign materials capability, skills, research infrastructure and supply chains needed to deliver the next generation of nuclear technologies. Advanced materials are fundamental to enabling safer, more efficient and more resilient reactor systems, from SMRs to AMRs and future fusion technologies.
“Working together, we can translate the UK’s world-leading research and innovation into industrial growth, high-value jobs and international competitiveness, while helping to secure a safe, resilient and low-carbon energy future for generations to come.”
The full roadmap, which will include detailed technical programmes and outline timescales across each theme area, is expected to be published later in 2026. Organisations wishing to contribute to the final roadmap are invited to send comments to royce@uknnl.com.
