Urenco USA commences commercial production of LEU+
Urenco USA has completed its first commercial production run of LEU+, marking the introduction of a higher-assay fuel option for nuclear reactors in the Western world.
Urenco USA has successfully manufactured its first product cylinder of low-enriched uranium plus (LEU+) at its facility in Eunice, New Mexico. This production milestone follows authorization from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in September 2025 to enrich uranium up to 10% U-235, making Urenco the first commercial enricher in the West to bring this fuel type to market.
LEU+ provides an enrichment level between 5% and 10% U-235, surpassing the 3% to 5% range typically used in existing light water reactors. This higher density allows for extended operational cycles, potentially reducing the frequency of refueling outages and lowering maintenance costs. Additionally, the fuel serves as a critical feedstock for future high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) applications required by emerging reactor designs.
To support rising domestic demand, Urenco is pursuing a significant expansion plan. The company intends to begin construction on a new enrichment facility at the New Mexico site in 2029. By 2036, the company expects to increase its total production capacity to over 7 million separative work units (SWU), providing a robust supply chain for U.S. utilities and advanced energy projects.