Framatome inaugurates an additive manufacturing center at its site in Romans sur Isère (Drôme). This new industrial facility, the only one of its kind in Europe for both its positioning and capacities, embodies Framatome's commitment to innovation, industrial sovereignty, and operational excellence for the benefit of the nuclear and defense sectors.
Operational since May 2026, Framatome's additive manufacturing center produces mechanical components through additive manufacturing, or metal 3D printing, to meet the growing needs of customers and industrial partners.
Framatome chose to give this facility the name of Admiral Bernard-Antoine Morio de l'Isle, in memory of the late General Officer who served the Nation all along his career in the French Navy, before joining Framatome to contribute his experience and provide guidance.
The additive manufacturing center also incorporates research and development activities, industrial process qualification capabilities, and a training hub for Framatome's internal teams and its partners as well. Thanks to this combination of activities, the center constitutes a comprehensive platform to strengthen the industrial deployment of additive manufacturing in the nuclear and defense supply chains.
“This new additive manufacturing center is at the heart of Framatome's strategic ambition: to develop world class industrial assets that sustainably support nuclear projects and meet the needs of our customers and partners, in France and across the globe, as well as those of the defense sector,” said Grégoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome. “Through additive manufacturing, we are strengthening the sovereignty of Framatome's industrial capabilities, consolidating the competitiveness of strategic sectors and securing essential supply chains, while accelerating innovation in the service of performance and safety in nuclear and defense installations.”
Similar to 3D printing, additive manufacturing adds up layers of metal one on top of another until the desired part is obtained. Framatome's additive manufacturing center uses two cutting edge metal printing processes: wire-arc additive manufacturing and laser powder bed fusion. These technologies enable the production of very high quality metal components, in series, of any geometry. This center can produce parts ranging from a few kilograms to several tons, with dimensions ranging from a few millimeters up to five meters in diameter, while significantly reducing costs and lead times.
Additive manufacturing markedly reduces the environmental impact of production, thanks to the electrification of processes and optimized use of materials and energy.
With the commissioning of this center, Framatome confirms and reinforces its position as a leader in additive manufacturing applied to the nuclear and defense industries, both in France and internationally. Framatome also deepens its territorial and industrial footprint in the Romans sur Isère urban area. The additive manufacturing center currently employs around twenty people.
This cutting-edge facility is named after Admiral Bernard-Antoine Morio de l'Isle, who passed away in 2024. A former adviser to Framatome's CEO and a Commander of the French Legion d'honneur, Admiral Bernard-Antoine Morio de l'Isle spent a large part of his career in the French Navy, first as a submarine officer, before serving in the highest military functions, including five commandments at sea and as Commander of the French Submarine Forces and Strategic Oceanic Force Command (ALFOST).