Rosatom Begins 3D Printing Equipment for Nuclear Reactors
Russia has produced and certified its first 3D‑printed component for a RITM‑200 nuclear reactor—marking a shift from experimental additive manufacturing to real‑world deployment in advanced energy systems.
A Certified Breakthrough in Additive Manufacturing
For the first time in Russia, a component for a marine nuclear reactor unit has been manufactured and certified using additive technologies. Engineers at OKBM Afrikantov, part of Rosatom’s mechanical‑engineering division, received approval to apply 3D printing to RITM‑200 reactors after successfully testing the first part—a terminal box for pump equipment.
The achievement marks a critical transition from creating prototypes to producing certified components intended for real energy installations. The part was manufactured using the domestically built Ilis‑L+ 3D printer at the Additive Technologies Center in Nizhny Novgorod.
According to Yuri Vytnov, Chief Technologist at OKBM Afrikantov, obtaining regulatory documentation for the first RITM‑200 reactor component produced via additive technologies will enable wider adoption of 3D printing for marine nuclear systems as well as other types of nuclear‑industry equipment.
Lighter, More Efficient, More Affordable
The introduction of 3D printing fundamentally changes design and production in the nuclear sector. Additive technologies allow engineers to create components with optimized geometries that are impossible to achieve using traditional methods.
Ilya Kavelashvili, Director of the Additive Technologies Business Unit at Rosatom’s Fuel Division, emphasized that using additive manufacturing for RITM‑200 components demonstrates the high technological readiness of Russia’s industry. With 3D printing, parts can achieve improved characteristics, become more efficient and reliable, and significantly reduce weight and cost.
Supporting Global Nuclear Development
RITM‑200 reactors—already proven on the newest Arktika‑class nuclear icebreakers—serve as the foundation for floating power units and small modular reactors (SMRs). These systems are designed to supply energy to remote regions in Russia and abroad, including countries such as Uzbekistan.
The expansion of additive manufacturing across Rosatom contributes to global engineering goals. Widespread adoption of 3D printing dramatically shortens production timelines and reduces manufacturing costs for next‑generation nuclear equipment.
