ITER links two 2025 events
Next April, two important fusion events will be sequenced into a single intensive week. The second ITER Private Sector Workshop will be hosted at ITER on 22-23 April, and the ITER Business Forum (IBF/25), a fusion supply chain event hosted by Agence Iter France, will be held for the first time in several years in Marseille, on 24-25 April. Both events will feature ITER worksite tours, technical panels, networking dinners, and opportunities to consult with technical experts; the IBF will also host a fusion technology exhibition and enable one-on-one B2B meetings with supply chain companies. And for the first time, the IBF will welcome fusion start-up initiatives and give attention to the private sector’s supply chain needs.
Historically, Agence Iter France has structured the IBF to highlight upcoming procurement opportunities in the ITER project. This has led, naturally, to heavy representation by companies across the future supply chain. Success stories, the latest in ITER component deliveries, repairs achieved, lessons learned, relevant technological breakthroughs, and the challenges that lie ahead are all part of the program.
Recognizing the emergence of private sector supply chain needs, this IBF will open its doors to participants who are designing, constructing and managing fusion projects funded by private sector investments. For supply chain companies, this offers the opportunity to learn about a broader range of procurement needs. For startups, it enables concentrated access to a global set of companies with fusion-specific capabilities. For ITER, it is a natural progression toward sharing with fusion startups not only the knowledge accumulated over decades, but also the expertise and partner relationships that may be suited to new markets.
The ITER Private Sector Workshop will also be different in 2025. The May 2024 workshop sought to establish a baseline of knowledge by answering three questions for each initiative: “What is the your current level of achievement?” “What are the remaining challenges to bring your fusion approach to fruition?” and “How can ITER help?” The next workshop will provide updates, but will focus more directly on solutions: who is doing what to address the common remaining challenges?
More details to come: stay tuned.