Framatome
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Nuclear power |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Headquarters | France , France |
Area served | Worldwide (France, Germany, China, USA, Canada, UK) |
| Products | Nuclear reactors, fuel assemblies, instrumentation and control systems |
| Owner | Électricité de France (80.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5%) |
Number of employees | Over 17,000 (sum of workforce in listed countries) |
Framatome () is a French company specializing in nuclear reactors, predominantly owned by Électricité de France (EDF) with an 80.5% stake, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries holding the remaining 19.5%.
The company was established in 1958 to obtain licenses for Westinghouse's pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology for use in France, securing its first full plant contract at Chooz in 1962. In 1976, Westinghouse divested its shares to the engineering firm Creusot-Loire, resulting in Framatome becoming entirely French-owned.
In 2001, Framatome expanded by acquiring Siemens’ nuclear reactor division and merged with Cogema and Technicatome to form Areva NP, a subsidiary of the larger Areva group. After significant investment from EDF, the company reverted to the Framatome brand in 2018.
Currently, Framatome offers an extensive portfolio of nuclear reactor services, including the design of the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), construction, fuel supply management, and ongoing operational support throughout the reactor lifecycle.
History
Framatome originated in 1958 through a collaboration between the French Schneider Group entities and Westinghouse to license PWR technology and develop the Chooz A nuclear facility. Starting as a nuclear engineering firm, by 1961 it had transitioned into an industrial contractor delivering turnkey nuclear systems.
In 1976, Westinghouse sold its remaining 15% shareholding to Creusot-Loire, which already controlled 66%, thereby granting Framatome marketing autonomy. This was followed by increased French public and private sector ownership during a 1982 restructuring involving the CEA.
From 1989 onward, Framatome partnered with Siemens on developing the European Pressurized Reactor (EPR). Siemens’ nuclear division was integrated into Framatome in 2001. That same year marked Framatome’s merger with Cogema and Technicatome, resulting in the formation of Areva NP.
In 2007, Areva joined forces with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to create the Atmea joint venture aimed at promoting the ATMEA1 reactor design; Areva NP also acquired a 30% interest in Mitsubishi Nuclear Fuel in 2009. By that year, Siemens had exited Areva NP.
Following a corporate restructuring of Areva in 2018, Areva NP was acquired by EDF, with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5%) and Assystem (5%) becoming minority shareholders. EDF and Mitsubishi now share equal ownership of Atmea, while Framatome maintains a special shareholding role within the joint venture.
Operations
Framatome is engaged in designing, manufacturing, and installing components, fuel assemblies, as well as instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. It provides comprehensive reactor services and leads significant projects such as Flamanville 3, Taishan units 1 and 2, and Hinkley Point C. Additionally, it is conducting initial studies for six reactors planned at the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project located in Maharashtra, India.
The company supplies EPR reactors, which are advanced third-generation pressurised water reactor (PWR) designs, alongside Kerena reactors—Generation III+ boiling water reactors (BWRs) rated at approximately 1,250 MWe—also known as SWR-1000. The Kerena concept is derived from Areva’s experience with the Gundremmingen Nuclear Power Plant design and integrates German engineering expertise along with operational insights from Generation II BWRs to streamline system complexity.
In 2016, it was discovered that Framatome’s Le Creusot Forge had produced nearly 400 large steel forgings since 1965 containing inconsistent carbon levels that compromised material strength. This revelation triggered an extensive inspection campaign across French nuclear reactors involving phased shutdowns during the winter of 2016–2017. The issue was characterized by the Wall Street Journal as a "decades-long coverup," with company officials admitting to falsifying documentation. Consequently, Le Creusot Forge was shut down from December 2015 until January 2018 to implement improvements in process control, quality assurance systems, organizational structure, and safety culture.
In 2020, Framatome secured a contract to supply reactor protection systems for Russian VVER-TOI reactors at the Kursk II.
Locations
- France
- Operating 18 facilities across the country
- Workforce exceeding 7,500 personnel
- Germany
- Present at three sites: Erlangen, Karlstein, and Lingen
- Employing over 3,000 staff members
- China
- Maintaining eight locations, including Beijing, Shanghai, Qinshan, Fuqing, Daya Bay, Yangjiang, and Taishan
- Supported by a team of 4,000 specialists dedicated to ACNS
- USA
- Comprising 14 facilities such as Benicia (CA), Charlotte (NC), Cranberry Township (PA), Fort Worth (TX), Foxborough (MA), Houston (TX), Jacksonville (FL), Lake Forest (CA), Lynchburg (VA), Richland (WA), and Washington, D.C.
- Staffing more than 2,320 employees
- Canada
- Operating three sites located in Kincardine (ON), Montreal (QC), and Pickering (ON)
- UK
- Hosting three locations: Bristol and Cranfield