FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Moltex Presents Updated WATSS–SSR-W Fuel Recycling Vision at Canadian Nuclear Society Conference
Calgary, Alberta – June 18, 2026 – Moltex Energy Canada announced the presentation of a new technical paper at the 45th Annual Canadian Nuclear Society (CNS) Conference outlining the latest progress on its Waste to Stable Salt (WATSS) recycling technology and Stable Salt Reactor – Wasteburner (SSR-W) program.
The paper, “Update on the WATSS – SSR-W Development Project, in the Context of Renewed Interest for Used Fuel Recycling,” provides an overview of recent technical achievements, the integration of the WATSS recycling process with the SSR-W reactor, and the growing strategic importance of used nuclear fuel recycling in Canada and internationally.
The paper highlights the successful validation of key stages of the WATSS process using irradiated fuel from a commercial CANDU reactor at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories’ Chalk River facilities. These hot-cell demonstrations represent a significant milestone in Moltex’s mission to transform used nuclear fuel from a long-term liability into a valuable clean energy resource.
WATSS is designed to recycle used nuclear fuel from CANDU reactors and other reactor types through a simplified pyrochemical process that extracts transuranic elements without separating pure plutonium. When combined with the SSR-W reactor, the technology offers the potential to dramatically reduce the volume and longevity of nuclear waste while generating additional carbon-free electricity.
The conference paper also examines the rapidly evolving environment for nuclear fuel recycling. Growing electricity demand, the emergence of large-scale data centres, increasing concerns regarding energy security, renewed support for fuel recycling in the United States, and the rising value of critical minerals contained within used nuclear fuel are all strengthening the case for closing the nuclear fuel cycle.
According to the paper, valuable materials contained within Canada’s existing inventory of used fuel could represent billions of dollars of recoverable resources while simultaneously reducing long-term waste management requirements.
“The global conversation around nuclear energy has changed dramatically in recent years,” said Rory O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Moltex Energy Canada. “Governments and utilities are increasingly looking beyond waste management toward resource recovery, energy security and fuel sustainability. WATSS offers a practical pathway to unlock the remaining energy value contained in used nuclear fuel while substantially reducing the long-term burden on future generations.”
The paper also outlines how WATSS and SSR-W could complement Canada’s long-term waste management strategy by reducing repository requirements and providing a productive use for materials currently destined for disposal.
“The successful validation work completed with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories has significantly advanced our understanding of the WATSS process and provided important confidence in the technology,” said O’Sullivan. “As interest in fuel recycling accelerates globally, we believe the value proposition of WATSS and SSR-W is stronger today than at any point since the project was launched.”
Moltex intends to continue advancing the remaining stages of WATSS development and to re-engage with regulators, utilities, governments and industry stakeholders as development activities resume.
The full paper was presented at the 45th Annual Canadian Nuclear Society Conference in Calgary, Alberta.
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About Moltex Energy
Moltex Energy Canada is developing the Waste to Stable Salt (WATSS) fuel recycling technology and the Stable Salt Reactor – Wasteburner (SSR-W), an integrated solution designed to recycle used nuclear fuel, reduce nuclear waste inventories, and generate clean, reliable electricity. Together, the technologies offer a practical pathway toward a closed nuclear fuel cycle and enhanced long-term energy security.
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