Orano and NABTU Partner for Uranium Facility Construction in Oak Ridge

Orano and NABTU Unite for Landmark Uranium Project in Oak Ridge

An agreement paves the way for a cooperative framework to ensure the project's successful, safe, and efficient completion.

OAK RIDGE, TN – April 22, 2026 – A strategic partnership has been formed between Orano and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) through a Memorandum of Understanding, cementing their commitment to the successful execution of Project IKE, an ambitious uranium enrichment facility planned for Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

This MOU signifies a joint effort to meet the project’s deadlines and adhere to both commercial and governmental expectations by employing a skilled workforce and cultivating a collaborative work environment that prioritizes safety, quality, and efficiency.

Project IKE represents a $5 billion investment in the development of a new U.S.-based facility for enriched uranium, with operations targeted to commence in the early 2030s.

During the construction phase, the project is set to employ over 1,000 workers.

Jean-Luc Palayer, CEO of Orano USA, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “To help quickly establish a significant and secure nuclear fuel supply of enriched uranium for America’s reactor fleet, we need the Project IKE facility built on a deliberate timeline that’s only possible with a skilled and efficient workforce.” He further highlighted the agreement's foundation on productivity, quality, and cooperation with NABTU.

Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions, added, “When it comes to complex nuclear projects, America turns to the Building Trades because we deliver. Our three million members are trained for highly regulated, safety‑critical nuclear work, and they stand ready to build the next generation of America’s nuclear energy infrastructure. Project IKE represents the future of U.S. energy security, and this agreement ensures Orano has access to the safest, most highly trained nuclear construction workforce in the world to deliver this project on time and to the highest standards.”

Orano is actively developing a robust American supply chain to support the design and construction of the Project IKE facility. This includes the manufacture and installation of extensive material-handling equipment and systems to facilitate ongoing uranium enrichment operations.

Learn more about Project IKE: https://www.orano.group/usa/project-ike-enrichment

About Orano USA:

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with global offices in Paris, France, Orano is a key player in the commercial and federal nuclear industries. The company’s expertise spans uranium mining, conversion and enrichment, used nuclear fuel management and recycling, federal site clean-up, and the development of nuclear medicines. orano.group/usa

About NABTU:

As an alliance representing over 3 million skilled craft professionals in the United States and Canada, North America’s Building Trades Unions comprises 14 national and international unions within the building and construction sector. Each year, NABTU and its partners invest approximately $2.5 billion to fund over 1,900 apprenticeship and training facilities across North America, fostering highly trained craft workers. The organization is committed to enhancing economic opportunities and career pathways in construction for diverse communities. Find more information at nabtu.org.