Lightbridge and Oklo Sign MOU to Explore Co-Location of Commercial Fuel Fabrication Facilities and Collaboration on Advanced Fuel Recycling
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) to explore strategic collaboration opportunities. The agreement focuses on two main aspects: conducting a feasibility study for co-locating their commercial fuel fabrication facilities and exploring potential collaboration in nuclear waste recycling.
The proposed co-location of facilities aims to achieve significant synergies in both upfront capital expenditures and ongoing operational costs. Both companies' CEOs emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration in advancing clean energy solutions and accelerating innovation across the nuclear supply chain.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) ha firmato un Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) con Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) per esplorare opportunità di collaborazione strategica. L'accordo si concentra su due aspetti principali: condurre uno studio di fattibilità per co-locare le loro strutture di fabbricazione di combustibili commerciali e esplorare una potenziale collaborazione nel riciclo di rifiuti nucleari.
La proposta di co-locazione delle strutture mira a ottenere sinergie significative sia nelle spese di capitale iniziali che nei costi operativi correnti. I CEO di entrambe le aziende hanno sottolineato l'importanza strategica di questa collaborazione per promuovere soluzioni energetiche pulite e accelerare l'innovazione lungo l'intera filiera nucleare.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) ha firmado un Memorándum de Entendimiento (MOU) con Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) para explorar oportunidades de colaboración estratégica. El acuerdo se centra en dos aspectos principales: realizar un estudio de viabilidad para co-locar sus instalaciones de fabricación de combustible comercial y explorar una potencial colaboración en el reciclaje de residuos nucleares.
La co-localización de instalaciones propuesta tiene como objetivo lograr sinergias significativas tanto en gastos de capital iniciales como en costos operativos continuos. Los directores ejecutivos de ambas compañías enfatizaron la importancia estratégica de esta colaboración para avanzar en soluciones de energía limpia y acelerar la innovación en toda la cadena de suministro nuclear.
라이트브리지 (Nasdaq: LTBR)는 옥로 Inc. (NYSE: OKLO)와 전략적 협력 기회를 탐색하기 위한 양해각서(MOU)를 체결했습니다. 이 협정은 두 가지 주요 측면에 초점을 맞춥니다: 상업 연료 조제 시설의 공동 위치 조사를 위한 타당성 연구 수행과 핵 폐기물 재활용에 대한 잠재적 협력 탐색입니다.
제안된 시설의 공동 위치 조사는 초기 자본 지출과 지속적인 운영 비용 모두에서 중요한 시너지를 달성하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 양사의 CEO는 이 협력의 전략적 중요성을 강조하며 청정 에너지 솔루션을 발전시키고 핵 공급망 전반에 걸쳐 혁신을 가속화하는 데 기여할 것입니다.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) a signé un Mémorandum d'Entente (MOU) avec Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) pour explorer des opportunités de collaboration stratégique. L'accord se concentre sur deux aspects principaux : réaliser une étude de faisabilité sur la co-localisation de leurs installations de fabrication de combustibles commerciaux et explorer une collaboration potentielle dans le recyclage des déchets nucléaires.
La co-localisation proposée des installations vise à obtenir des synergies significatives à la fois dans les dépenses d'investissement initiales et dans les coûts d'exploitation continus. Les PDG des deux entreprises ont souligné l'importance stratégique de cette collaboration pour faire avancer les solutions énergétiques propres et accélérer l'innovation dans toute la chaîne d'approvisionnement nucléaire.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) hat ein Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) mit Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) unterzeichnet, um strategische Kooperationsmöglichkeiten zu erkunden. Die Vereinbarung konzentriert sich auf zwei Hauptaspekte: die Durchführung einer Machbarkeitsstudie zur gemeinsamen Standortwahl ihrer kommerziellen Brennstoffherstellungsanlagen und die Erforschung potenzieller Kooperationen im Recycling von nuklearen Abfällen.
Die vorgeschlagene Co-Location der Anlagen zielt darauf ab, signifikante Synergien sowohl bei den anfänglichen Investitionskosten als auch bei den laufenden Betriebskosten zu erreichen. Die CEOs beider Unternehmen betonten die strategische Bedeutung dieser Zusammenarbeit zur Förderung von sauberen Energielösungen und zur Beschleunigung der Innovation in der gesamten nuklearen Lieferkette.
- Potential reduction in capital expenditures through facility co-location
- Expected operational cost savings from shared facilities
- Strategic expansion into nuclear waste recycling market
- Early-stage agreement (MOU) with no binding commitments
- Feasibility study outcomes uncertain
Insights
This strategic partnership between Lightbridge and Oklo marks a significant development in the nuclear fuel industry, potentially reshaping the economics of advanced nuclear fuel production. The proposed co-location of fuel fabrication facilities represents more than just operational efficiency - it's a fundamental shift in how nuclear fuel facilities could be structured for maximum cost-effectiveness.
The collaboration offers several key advantages:
- Shared infrastructure and resources could significantly reduce capital expenditures (CapEx) and operating expenses (OpEx), potentially improving profit margins for both companies
- Co-location creates operational synergies in logistics, security and regulatory compliance
- The partnership combines Lightbridge's expertise in metallic fuel technology with Oklo's innovative approach to fuel recycling, potentially creating a more complete nuclear fuel cycle solution
The focus on nuclear waste recycling is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses one of the industry's most pressing challenges. This collaboration could accelerate the development of more efficient recycling technologies, potentially reducing nuclear waste storage requirements and improving the sustainability profile of nuclear energy.
While the MOU is preliminary, the strategic implications are substantial. The partnership could create a competitive advantage in the growing advanced nuclear market by establishing an integrated fuel production and recycling capability. This could be especially valuable as the industry moves toward smaller, more efficient reactor designs that require specialized fuel solutions.
RESTON, Va., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (“Lightbridge”) (Nasdaq: LTBR), an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) (“Oklo”), an advanced nuclear power and fuel recycling company. The MOU outlines plans to conduct a feasibility study for co-locating a Lightbridge Commercial-scale Fuel Fabrication Facility at Oklo’s proposed commercial fuel fabrication facility and to explore opportunities for collaboration in recycling nuclear waste.
Seth Grae, President and CEO of Lightbridge, commented: "This collaboration with Oklo represents an important strategic step in shaping the future of clean energy. The potential co-location of our commercial fuel fabrication facilities could offer significant synergies in terms of upfront capital expenditures and ongoing operating costs. Furthermore, exploring advanced fuel recycling opportunities with Oklo aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainable nuclear energy solutions."
Jacob DeWitte, Co-founder and CEO of Oklo added, "Collaborating with Lightbridge represents a unique opportunity to accelerate innovation across the nuclear supply chain. The potential to co-locate facilities and collaborate on cutting-edge technologies is aligned with our commitment to delivering cost-effective, carbon-free energy solutions. Together, we are exploring new frontiers in nuclear fuel development and recycling to ensure a cleaner and more sustainable energy future."
About Oklo Inc.
Oklo Inc. is developing advanced nuclear power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. Oklo received a site use permit from the U.S. Department of Energy, was awarded fuel material from Idaho National Laboratory, submitted the first advanced fission custom combined license application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories.
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. Lightbridge is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. Lightbridge is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid.
Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell Microcap® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.
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Forward Looking Statements
Oklo Inc.
This press release includes statements that express Oklo’s opinions, expectations, objectives, beliefs, plans, intentions, strategies, assumptions, forecasts or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements.” The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this press release and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, the goals and benefits of the MOU, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the markets in which Oklo operates. Such forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties.
As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the actual results or performance of Oklo may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The following important risk factors could affect Oklo’s future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements: risks related to the deployment of Oklo’s powerhouses; the risk that Oklo is pursuing an emerging market, with no commercial project operating, regulatory uncertainties; the potential need for financing to construct plants, market, financial, political and legal conditions; the effects of competition; the risk that a binding agreement with Lightbridge does not materialize or fails to produce the expected benefits; changes in applicable laws or regulations; and the outcome of any government and regulatory proceedings and investigations and inquiries.
The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties of the other documents filed by Oklo from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release and in any document incorporated by reference are based on current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on Oklo. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting Oklo will be those that Oklo has anticipated. Oklo undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Source: Oklo Inc.
Lightbridge Corp.
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to: Lightbridge’s ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of Lightbridge’s product and service offerings; Lightbridge’s ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; Lightbridge’s ability to enter into strategic definitive agreements; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; Lightbridge’s ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in Lightbridge’s fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of Lightbridge’s nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing Lightbridge’s business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, Lightbridge’s intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and in its other filings with the SEC, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”, all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov/ and www.ltbridge.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093
ir@ltbridge.com
Media and Investor Contact for Oklo:
Bonita Chester, Head of Communications and Media at media@oklo.com
Investor Contact:
Sam Doane, Director of Investor Relations at investors@oklo.com
This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
FAQ
What are the main objectives of the Lightbridge-Oklo MOU announced in January 2025?
How will the facility co-location benefit LTBR shareholders?
What type of synergies are expected from the Lightbridge-Oklo collaboration?
What is the current status of LTBR's commercial fuel fabrication facility plans?
