Rolls-Royce Submarines, which develops nuclear reactors for the UK Royal Navy, has signed an agreement to manufacture components for nuclear reactors, the aerospace industry and the defence sector at a technology park covering approximately 810 acres.
The Rolls-Royce subsidiary announced its partnership with Infinity, a company headquartered in Derby, on November 6. Infinity, which specialises in advanced manufacturing technologies, is building the technology park to accelerate research and production involving nuclear and aerospace components.
The facility, covering an area equivalent to approximately 151 American football fields, is expected to bring together advanced manufacturing, testing, digital engineering and prototyping centres. The agreement aims to accelerate production, reduce material costs and improve access to critical components.
The announcement comes as Rolls-Royce expands its work on nuclear-powered submarines. The company also plans to supply nuclear reactors for Australia's future submarines under the AUKUS defence agreement.
A new innovation centre
According to Infinity, the technology park will bring manufacturers, suppliers, universities and training organisations together at a single site. It will also feature technologies such as 3D printing, electron-beam welding and hot isostatic pressing (HIP).
HIP applies high temperatures and pressure to materials to improve their strength and eliminate internal structural defects. Electron-beam welding uses concentrated energy beams to join metal components.
These technologies could improve the manufacturing of large and complex components used in nuclear reactors, aerospace equipment and defence systems. They are also expected to give manufacturers greater control over the production processes for critical components.
The site is already home to the Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy, described as the first of its kind, which trains personnel for the nuclear industry.
Lee Warren, Engineering and Technology Director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, emphasised the importance of exploring new manufacturing methods.
“As we grow to meet the demand for our naval nuclear propulsion work, we need to increase our production pace and ensure we are continually exploring new technologies, including supplying reactors to Australia under the AUKUS agreement,” he said.
A new phase in nuclear technology
Rolls-Royce Submarines has spent decades developing, manufacturing and maintaining the nuclear reactors that power the UK Royal Navy's submarine fleet.
The company's first PWR1 reactor entered service aboard Valiant-class submarines in the 1960s. The newer PWR2 reactors power Vanguard- and Astute-class submarines. The PWR3 reactor is planned for use in future Dreadnought-class submarines.
An upgraded version of the reactor is also expected to be used in future AUKUS-class submarines operated by the UK and Australia.
In a press statement, Warren said the company had been designing, developing, manufacturing and maintaining reactors for the UK's nuclear submarine fleet for more than 65 years. He added that this work had required balancing consistent delivery with the exploration of future innovations. The company currently employs more than 5,500 people.
Warren said the agreement would allow Rolls-Royce to continue production at its Raynesway facility while exploring new manufacturing methods at the technology park.
The park could also serve other industries. UK Fusion Energy recently partnered with Infinity to advance the development of the UK's STEP fusion energy plant in Nottinghamshire.
Infinity CEO Dr Gary Jones said the partnership would strengthen domestic manufacturing for the defence industry.
“We are incredibly proud to announce our partnership and look forward to working with Rolls-Royce Submarines,” Jones said.
The completed technology park is expected to create approximately 17,500 skilled jobs across the UK's East Midlands region.
