Solstice Advanced Materials announced a significant expansion of its nuclear fuel operations today, projecting that its Metropolis Works facility in Illinois will produce over 10 kilotonnes (10 kt) of uranium hexafluoride ($UF_6$) by 2026. This target represents a 20% increase over the facility’s planned 2024 capacity.
The expansion comes as the company navigates a massive $2 billion backlog driven by long-term contracts with domestic utility companies.
The push for increased capacity is tied to a broader U.S. policy goal of quadrupling American nuclear energy capacity by 2050. To meet this demand, Solstice has already completed initial debottlenecking projects following the plant’s 2023 restart.
Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the company is now:
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Exploring further debottlenecking to squeeze additional efficiency from the Metropolis site.
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Analyzing new capacity investments, having retained a leading engineering and construction firm for technical feasibility.
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Securing long-term supply deals to provide the baseline for future infrastructure spending.
“Solstice has stepped up production of $UF_6$ with the support of disciplined capital investments and improved operational excellence,” David Sewell president and CEO of Solstice said. “We are exceedingly well-positioned to ensure our capacity is aligned with the industry’s rapid expansion.”
The conversion process at Metropolis Works is the essential second step in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Currently, nuclear power accounts for:
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Nearly 20% of all U.S. electricity.
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The largest single source of carbon-free energy in the country.
Operating under a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license valid through 2060, Solstice holds a unique market advantage. The company’s marketing arm, ConverDyn (a partnership with General Atomics), remains the exclusive agent for the facility’s output.
With a market capitalization of approximately $10.13 billion, Solstice — which was spun off from Honeywell in late 2025 — continues to pivot toward high-growth “critical materials” sectors, including defense fibers and semiconductor chemicals, alongside its cornerstone nuclear business.
