Germany's Proxima Fusion, one of Europe's best-funded fusion startups, signed memoranda of understanding with two Japanese industrial partners, Fujikura and Kyoto Fusioneering, on October 28, 2024, in Tokyo [1]. The agreement was notably attended by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who was visiting to deepen trade ties between the nations [1]. This partnership marks a significant step in the race to develop the world's first commercial fusion power plant, with Europe seeking to establish domestic supply chain capacity for critical fusion technology components [1].
The collaboration addresses a critical bottleneck in fusion energy development: the shortage of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape, a specialized metallic tape that is superconducting at relatively high temperatures and can carry electrical current with virtually no resistive losses [1]. Proxima's agreement with 141-year-old Fujikura will explore plans for industrial-scale manufacturing in Germany of HTS tape, which is wound into coils to form powerful magnets that confine and control heated plasma inside the stellarator [1]. Additionally, the agreement with Kyoto Fusioneering will expand existing work on next-generation gyrotrons—devices that generate high-power microwaves used to heat the plasma [1].
Proxima Fusion is developing a type of magnetic device called a stellarator, designed to hold plasma in place for long periods as part of the broader fusion energy approach that uses powerful magnets to confine plasma [1]. According to Ann Mettler, president of Catalyse Europe, developing fusion technology should be a strategic imperative for Europe, stating: "Europe is a resource-poor geography and we are very dependent on China. The world is in competition for technological supremacy — this is a zero-sum game. Fusion is a silver bullet because the promise is abundant, clean, limitless energy" [1]. Fujikura, which employs over 50,000 people worldwide, is recognized as a leader in manufacturing high-temperature superconductors [1].
CONCLUSION
Proxima Fusion's partnership with Japanese industrial giants Fujikura and Kyoto Fusioneering represents a strategic move to secure critical supply chain components for commercial fusion energy development, with high-level political backing from both Germany and Japan [1]. The collaboration addresses the shortage of specialized HTS tape and gyrotron technology, positioning Europe to reduce its dependence on China for advanced energy technology [1]. This development signals growing momentum in the commercial fusion sector and reflects the geopolitical importance of fusion energy as a strategic technology.