DIFFER signed a Framework Agreement with Renaissance Fusion and VDL Groep to lay the foundation for the industrialisation of fusion systems in the Netherlands. This collaboration will combine scientific excellence, fusion technology and industrial expertise.
On 24 September 2026 DIFFER has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Renaissance Fusion and VDL Groep to collaborate on the development and industrialisation of fusion energy systems in the Netherlands. The agreement brings together three complementary strengths: DIFFER’s scientific knowledge, Renaissance Fusion’s expertise in enabling fusion technology and system integration, and VDL’s advanced engineering and high-tech manufacturing capabilities.
With the partnership, Renaissance Fusion envisages a phased approach, beginning with joint development activities and progressing toward a more structured industrial consortium to advance fuel cycle and breeding blanket solutions and, subject to technical and financing milestones, a high-field simplified stellarator demonstrator.
The collaboration reflects a general evolution of the fusion sector. As fusion technologies mature, scientific progress must increasingly be matched by industrial capabilities able to manufacture, test and deploy critical fusion systems at scale.
DIFFER’s director Marco de Baar: “Progress toward fusion energy requires us to connect scientific understanding with the technologies and engineering solutions that will ultimately operate inside a fusion system. By working closely with technology developers and industrial partners, we can help validate promising approaches, understand their behavior under relevant conditions and accelerate the path from scientific research toward industrial application.”
Building an industrial fusion ecosystem in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offers a strong foundation for this phase, combining a well-established fusion research base, advanced design and manufacturing capabilities and a dedicated academic talent pipeline.
DIFFER will provide scientific expertise, particularly in plasma physics, plasma-facing components, and liquid metals. For DIFFER, collaboration creates an opportunity to connect scientific research more closely with the engineering and technology-validation challenges that will determine how fusion technologies can ultimately be deployed at scale.
VDL Groep will bring its experience in advanced engineering, precision manufacturing, high-tech assembly, and industrial scale-up. Renaissance Fusion will contribute its experience in blanket technologies and fuel cycle, as well as its expertise in system integration for simplified stellarators.
From European fusion science to European fusion industry
The MoU represents the starting point for a broader industrial effort. The ambition is to contribute to Europe’s transition from fusion science to fusion industry, developing the technologies, manufacturing capabilities and supply chains that will support the next generation of fusion systems.
Text: Renaissance Fusion, VDL, DIFFER
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