A NUCLEAR reactor that is being developed in Warrington has taken a huge leap forward.

MoltexFLEX, a nuclear laboratory based on Birchwood Park, has seen its nuclear reactor technology receive the backing of a UAE-based firm.

A memorandum was signed by the Birchwood company during the COP28 summit, which was held in Dubai this year.

Announcing the news, MoltexFLEX told the Warrington Guardian: "Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British advanced nuclear technology developer MoltexFLEX in a move that marks a significant step towards bringing the FLEX reactor to market."

MoltexFLEX looks at using molten salts in nuclear reactions, rather than gases; meaning that if there was to be a leak and the molten salt hit the atmosphere, it would solidify - making it less dangerous than if gases leaked and were blown into the area.

His Excellency Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC, and David Landon, CEO of MoltexFLEX, signed the MoU on Friday, December 8, at the World Nuclear Association Net Zero Nuclear summit in Dubai at the COP28 climate conference.

Attending the signing was the British ambassador to the UAE, Edward Hobart CMG, and representatives from the UK government.

The British ambassador said: "It is great to witness a pioneering UK business making big breakthroughs in the UAE.

"The UK’s Department for Business and Trade team here in the UAE is delighted to be working in close collaboration with MoltexFLEX.

"The commitments made in this MoU are another vote of confidence in UK technology and will form the basis of a mutually beneficial relationship between two like-minded partners.”

Warrington Guardian: MoltexFLEX's latest update comes amid COP28MoltexFLEX's latest update comes amid COP28 (Image: COP28)

Moltex's CEO, David Landon, added: "We are delighted to sign an MoU with such a prestigious member of the global nuclear community, and to announce it against a backdrop of worldwide collaboration on fighting climate change.

“We firmly believe ENEC’s interest highlights the potential of our FLEX reactor to provide low-cost, low-carbon heat and electricity for a wide variety of uses.

“We are excited to be part of the growing collaboration between the UK and UAE, and the MoltexFLEX team is looking forward to working more closely with a major potential developer as well as suppliers and academia in the region.”

David concluded: "We will also explore opportunities throughout the Middle East and beyond, which is aligned with MoltexFLEX’s vision for global deployment of the FLEX reactor."