Steel & Atoms: Forging a Modern Industrial Renaissance

Holtec Britain, the UK arm of Holtec International, America’s largest exporter of nuclear components, took a major step this week toward reviving Britain’s industrial heritage. In a ceremony held at the iconic Sheffield Forgemasters, Holtec became the latest signatory to the UK Steel Charter, pledging to prioritise British-made steel across its nuclear, clean energy, and defence projects. The announcement signals a powerful fusion of two strategic sectors: steel and nuclear, both integral to the UK’s net-zero ambitions and economic reindustrialisation.

£1.5bn Investment Set to Transform South Yorkshire

Holtec’s signing of the Charter accompanies plans for a major new manufacturing facility in South Yorkshire. The proposed plant, valued at £1.5bn in Gross Value Added, will manufacture critical components for Holtec’s SMR-300 reactors. It will serve as the hub for Holtec’s UK operations, enabling production, assembly, and export of modular reactor parts. The company forecasts the creation of thousands of high-skilled, unionised jobs across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain logistics. For a region historically linked to steelmaking, the investment is both symbolic and strategic.

Commitment to Domestic Content & Resilient Supply Chains

A central tenet of Holtec’s UK strategy is its commitment to using up to 70% UK content in its projects. This includes raw materials, components, labour, and services. Signing the UK Steel Charter formalises Holtec’s pledge to embed British steel into the fabric of its SMR programme, maximising local economic benefits. Gareth Thomas, Director at Holtec Britain, declared: “UK steel will play a vital role in our nuclear, clean energy and defence programmes. We are proud to invest in its future by supporting local manufacturing, high-skilled unionised jobs, and a resilient supply chain.”

A coalition of Industrial & Union Leadership

The Charter signing brought together a formidable group of industrial and labour leaders. In attendance were Dame Julia King (Baroness Brown of Cambridge), Senior Advisor at Holtec and Chair of the Adaptation Sub-Committee of the Climate Change Committee; Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel; Alasdair McDiarmid, Assistant General Secretary of the Community Union; GMB National Secretary Andy Prendergast; and Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB’s National Officer for Construction, Steel, and Manufacturing. Their presence underscored broad cross-sector support for Holtec’s UK deployment strategy.

Advanced Nuclear: SMR-300 as a Cornerstone Technology

Holtec’s SMR-300 design is a state-of-the-art, pressurised water reactor developed for scalability, safety, and low-CO₂ emissions. As a finalist in Great British Nuclear’s SMR design competition, the reactor is a key contender in the UK’s future nuclear fleet. The company plans to deploy up to 5GW of SMR capacity by 2050, enough to power several million homes. Unlike traditional large-scale reactors, SMRs are designed for modular construction, enabling faster build times, lower upfront capital costs, and easier integration with existing grid infrastructure. Their compatibility with industrial and remote sites makes them a cornerstone of net-zero energy transition.

Industrial Alliances with Sheffield & Beyond

Holtec has already laid the groundwork for a deeply integrated UK supply chain. The company has signed formal agreements with Sheffield Forgemasters, the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the Manufacturing Technology Centre, and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. These collaborations focus on technology development, workforce training, and advanced manufacturing processes. The goal is to build a self-reliant ecosystem that enhances the UK's capacity not just to deploy, but also to design and export SMR systems globally.

Rebuilding Britain's Industrial Base

The UK Steel Charter, backed by the Department for Business and Trade, calls on companies to support domestic steel production by actively choosing British steel in major infrastructure projects. Holtec’s endorsement of the Charter is more than symbolic, it embeds industrial revival into its operational DNA. According to Gareth Stace of UK Steel: “Holtec’s plans to establish an SMR manufacturing base in South Yorkshire align perfectly with the Charter’s goals. Their commitment is a major vote of confidence in the UK steel sector and the wider industrial capabilities of the region.”

What Comes Next: Final Investment & Delivery

Holtec is currently completing its business plan for the South Yorkshire factory, ahead of a Final Investment Decision expected within the next 12–18 months. This will pave the way for planning applications, regulatory engagement, and the eventual start of construction. Once operational, the factory will serve as a launchpad for UK deployments and exports, unlocking a global market worth billions. By marrying decarbonisation with industrial regeneration, Holtec Britain aims to make the UK a global leader in advanced nuclear technology, while breathing new life into its historic manufacturing heartlands.

Key Takeaways:

• Holtec Britain signed the UK Steel Charter at Sheffield Forgemasters, pledging to use British steel and up to 70% UK content in its SMR-300 programme.

• A £1.5bn GVA advanced manufacturing facility is planned for South Yorkshire, expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and establish the UK as an SMR export hub.

• Holtec plans to deploy 5GW of nuclear capacity in the UK by 2050, supporting clean energy and national energy security through modular, low-CO₂ reactors.