Suppliers need to get fusion ready to reap significant rewards

The Fusion Industry Association’s (FIA) report - The Fusion Industry Supply Chain: Opportunities and Challenges – has analysed the current fusion supply chain, projecting significant growth in demand for fusion suppliers over the coming years.

The survey of 26 private fusion companies calculated that the supply chain was worth over $500m in 2022 and is set to increase to over $7bn by the time companies build their ‘First of a Kind’ power plants. When the fusion industry reaches maturity, the supply chain is predicted to be worth trillions of dollars.

The fusion sector has made several breakthroughs in recent years, leading to a reliance on suppliers with requirements that include specialised precision manufactured components, such as high-powered magnets and laser components, heat management technologies, advanced materials, power electronics and semiconductors, and fusion fuel.  

However, there are signs that some suppliers may not be ready to scale ahead of demand. Over half of fusion companies (58 per cent) said suppliers need to invest now to meet scaling ambitions, yet 70 per cent said their suppliers see building the capacity to meet future demand as too risky without committed orders.