The SEALER reactor is 'a compact 55 MWe unit'
The collaboration aims to refine key components, develop solutions for energy-intensive industries, and optimize verification strategies using digital modeling. This initiative supports Sweden’s goals for sustainable energy, resilience, and industrial competitiveness. Malin Frenning, CEO of RISE, stated: “Nuclear power is part of Sweden’s work on climate transition, resilience, and competitiveness. Through our partnership with Blykalla, RISE contributes applied research, structured testing, system modelling, and industrial integration - key components that strengthen the foundation for the development and verification of advanced nuclear technology.”
Blykalla, a spin-off from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, has been developing lead-cooled reactor systems since 1996. Founded in 2013, the company plans to build SEALER-One, its first demonstration reactor, in Nyköping, Sweden, in collaboration with nuclear technical services provider Studsvik. The reactor, set to achieve criticality by 2029, will support industrial applications like pyrolysis for decarbonized biochar production. Jacob Stedman, CEO of Blykalla, said: “RISE’s capabilities in applied research, structured testing, and system modeling give us valuable tools to strengthen and validate SEALER’s design. This collaboration will help us refine key components, streamline verification, and keep our development on track toward commercial deployment in Sweden.”
The partnership will explore practical applications for SMRs in industrial and municipal settings, fostering a competitive ecosystem for the technology in Sweden and globally. Blykalla aims to deploy up to 1,000 SMRs by 2050, delivering 500 terawatt-hours of clean energy annually to sectors like hydrogen production, process heat, and pyrolysis, supporting reduced carbon emissions and industrial growth.
In February 2025, Blykalla began construction of an electrical SMR pilot facility near Oskarshamn to test its SEALER technology. Additionally, in April 2025, the company partnered with Norway’s Institute of Energy Technology to develop control room systems and instrumentation for remote and autonomous reactor operations. These efforts position Blykalla to lead in sustainable nuclear energy, enhancing Sweden’s role in clean energy innovation.
