US-Based Holtec International Proposes SMR Manufacturing Facility and R&D Centre in Gujarat

US-based nuclear technology company Holtec International has expressed interest in establishing a manufacturing facility for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) alongside a research and development centre in Gujarat.

The development took place during Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's meeting with Holtec International’s leadership in New York. The discussions formed part of the chief minister's five-day US visit ahead of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2027.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Patel stated that the state government has identified nuclear power equipment, including SMRs, as a key thrust area under Gujarat’s newly announced Industrial Policy 2026. According to an official release by the state government, the proposed investment aims to support India's broader goals of expanding nuclear capacity and developing advanced reactor technologies.

Established in South Jersey in 1986, Holtec International is primarily known for providing fuel storage solutions for nuclear power plants. The company already maintains a manufacturing presence in Gujarat, where it previously established a precision fabrication facility for air-cooled condensers, which was later expanded in 2025.

As of the official release, the Gujarat government has not disclosed the proposed financial investment size, specific project location, or timeline for the SMR facility and R&D centre. Furthermore, the state statement did not specify the particular SMR technology or reactor design that Holtec intends to manufacture in the state.

In addition to the meeting with Holtec, Chief Minister Patel held discussions with several other global entities during his US tour. He met with Samara Cohen, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Development at BlackRock, to discuss opportunities regarding exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and asset management in India. Patel positioned GIFT City as a potential global hub for asset management and invited BlackRock to expand its services there.

The Gujarat chief minister also held a one-to-one meeting with Xerxes Cooper, Global Head of Delivery at Kyndryl. During this interaction, Kyndryl expressed interest in collaborating with the Gujarat government on artificial intelligence strategies, knowledge sharing, skilling, and mentorship programs for startups and students, while also receiving an invitation to participate in the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2027.

"The expression of interest by Holtec International to set up an SMR manufacturing facility and R&D centre in Gujarat highlights the growing alignment between state industrial policies and advanced global energy technologies. By integrating nuclear power equipment into its Industrial Policy 2026 and leveraging existing infrastructure like GIFT City for financial services, Gujarat is systematically positioning itself as a destination for high-tech capital expenditure. For the broader business ecosystem, such strategic investments signal long-term opportunities in specialized manufacturing, supply chain localization, and research collaboration." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes