Solstice Advanced Materials Announces Expansion of Uranium Conversion Production to Support Strong Nuclear Industry Customer Demand
Rhea-AI Summary
Solstice Advanced Materials (NASDAQ: SOLS) projects Metropolis Works to produce over 10 kilotonnes (10 kt) of UF6 in 2026, about a 20% increase from planned 2024 capacity. The expansion follows debottlenecking since the 2023 restart and is supported by a backlog of over $2 billion.
Solstice is exploring further debottlenecking and new capacity investments, has retained an EPC firm for initial engineering analysis, and is engaging in long-term supply discussions with customers. Metropolis Works is the only UF6 conversion facility in the U.S. and holds an NRC license valid through 2060.
Positive
- Production projected >10 kt UF6 in 2026 (~20% increase vs 2024)
- Backlog of over $2 billion driven by long-term customers
- Only UF6 conversion facility in the United States (Metropolis Works)
- NRC operating license at Metropolis Works valid through 2060
Negative
- Operational concentration: single U.S. UF6 conversion facility creates a single-point operational risk
- Planned capacity increases require further capital and engineering work, implying potential execution or funding risk
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 06 | Conference participation | Neutral | +2.2% | CEO scheduled for fireside chat at Barclays Industrial Select Conference. |
| Jan 13 | Capacity expansion | Positive | +5.8% | Plans >$220M ballistic fiber expansion and 100 high-tech jobs in Virginia. |
| Jan 07 | Earnings timing | Neutral | +4.5% | Announcement of Q4 2025 results release date and conference call details. |
| Dec 22 | Spin-related update | Negative | -0.4% | Honeywell adjusts guidance and treats Advanced Materials as discontinued ops post spin. |
| Dec 02 | Semicon expansion | Positive | -2.2% | Announces $200M Spokane expansion to double sputtering-target capacity by 2029. |
Recent company-specific news has often seen positive or modestly positive price reactions, with one notable divergence on a large capex expansion.
Over the last several months, Solstice has highlighted multiple growth and portfolio transitions. It broke ground on a $200 million Spokane expansion to double sputtering-target capacity by 2029, and later announced a >$220 million ballistic fiber expansion in Virginia with new high-tech jobs through 2030. The Honeywell spin-related update framed Solstice’s business as discontinued operations at the parent. More recently, Solstice set a date for its Q4 2025 earnings release and disclosed upcoming conference participation. Today’s UF6 capacity expansion fits this pattern of sizable, long-dated growth investments.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement underscores Solstice’s role in the nuclear fuel supply chain, with projected UF6 output of over 10 kt in 2026 and a backlog above $2 billion. It extends a recent pattern of large, multi-year capacity investments across end markets. Investors may focus on utilization of the Metropolis Works facility, long-term contract quality, and progress updates on engineering studies for additional capacity as key markers of how effectively this expansion translates into sustained financial performance.
Key Terms
u.s. nuclear regulatory commission regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Driven by rising demand, expected 2026 production of over 10 kilotonnes of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) in 2026 would represent an approximate
Company to explore further debottlenecking at its facility and new capacity investments; current backlog is over
The company has invested in debottlenecking projects at Metropolis Works following its 2023 restart in response to strong customer demand for UF6, a critical component in the nuclear fuel supply chain. Metropolis Works is the only UF6 conversion facility in
Backed in part by the
"Solstice has stepped up production of UF6, a critical component in the nuclear fuel supply chain, with the support of disciplined capital investments and improved operational excellence at our Metropolis Works facility," said David Sewell, Solstice President and CEO. "Leveraging our 60-plus years of operational excellence, industry leadership and proprietary expertise, we are exceedingly well-positioned to ensure our capacity to produce converted uranium is aligned with the industry and its rapid expansion."
Solstice's Metropolis Works facility converts uranium ore concentrate from global mines into UF₆ using Solstice's proprietary process, which is recognized for its efficiency and reliability. After Solstice's conversion process, UF₆ is enriched and fabricated by other service providers into nuclear fuel that powers reactors generating nearly
ConverDyn, a partnership between Solstice and General Atomics, serves as the exclusive marketing agent for all UF₆ produced at the Metropolis Works facility, which holds a license from the
About Solstice Advanced Materials
Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™ and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents and pending applications, Solstice's approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science.
For more information, visit www.solstice.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical risks, such as changes in or application of trade and tax laws and policies, including the impacts of tariffs and other trade barriers and restrictions, lower GDP growth or recession in the
Contacts:
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Amy Schneiderman | Mike Leithead |
(201) 218-2302 | (973) 370-8188 |
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SOURCE Solstice Advanced Materials US, Inc.