Natura Receives Historic Molten Salt Reactor Coolant from Department of Energy

ABILENE, Texas, Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natura Resources LLC (Natura) has received FLiBE salt from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory via the Idaho National Laboratory for use in its Molten Salt Demonstration Reactor, the MSR-1, being built at Abilene Christian University. The delivery on Friday, Sept. 18, marks a significant milestone, further connecting the nation's historic Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) with Natura's effort to bring the technology into commercial deployment.

"Receiving this salt from the DOE is a handoff between generations of American innovation," said Jordan Robison, CEO of Natura Resources. "The MSRE showed what molten salt technology could achieve. We're carrying that legacy forward and turning it into a commercial reality that will deliver reliable energy, clean water, and medical isotopes to the world."

With the material now in hand, Natura has secured one of the most specialized inputs required for Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) operation, reducing supply-chain risk and enabling the successful deployment of the MSR-1. Natura will leverage the MSR-1 to generate data for its commercial reactors.

Natura was selected to receive the salt through a competitive DOE solicitation facilitated by Idaho National Laboratory and issued in August 2025. The FLiBE salt contains 99.99% enriched lithium-7 which minimizes Tritium generation in the salt.

The MSRE operated from 1965 to 1969, logging more than 13,000 hours demonstrating passive safety, high‑temperature performance, and fuel flexibility. The FLiBE salt was used to cool the MSRE, and its success provided a foundation for Natura's MSR design.

Natura's small modular reactors are designed to deliver clean, reliable baseload power using liquid fuel and low-pressure operating conditions. Natura's reactors are inherently safe, highly efficient, and built to serve industrial sites, communities, and to support critical infrastructure.

About Natura Resources 
Natura Resources LLC is a leading advanced small modular reactor developer committed to answering increasing domestic and global demands for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water. Natura's reactors are liquid-fueled and molten salt-cooled, which enhances safety and reduces waste. With the first construction permit for a liquid-fueled reactor from the NRC, Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to support America's energy future. The company is privately owned and has secured more than $120 million in private funding and a commitment of $120 million from the State of Texas. For more information, www.naturaresources.com.

SOURCE Natura Resources