Emerging nuclear technology specialist Newcleo has agreed to purchase in full for a consideration of some EUR69 million the outstanding shares of the Rütschi Group, wholly owned by Gruppo Aturia.

Founded in 1946 in Brugg (Switzerland) and with revenues of EUR22.3 million in the FY 2022-23, Rütschi Group is a producer of engineered pumps for nuclear applications and is involved in the provision of nuclear spares for pumps installed in existing nuclear power plants and in  the development of custom-made pumps for nuclear power plants, research centres and naval applications.

Newcleo said the acquisition is an additional significant step in its industrialisation strategy, to manufacture directly key components for its nuclear reactors. Rütschi Group, with its almost 70 employees, brings to Newcleo outstanding capabilities for nuclear engineering and manufacturing helping to accelerate the development of its innovative Lead Fast Reactor (LFR).

Pompes Rütschi and Rütschi Fluid are based in France and Switzerland respectively, and serve a large customer base with their nuclear grade pumps and related customisation services. Currently Rütschi Group has about 4,000 pumps in operation in 150 nuclear reactors mostly across Europe; they are also actively involved in special and highly customised projects in Asia and South America.

The Rütschi Group’s two production plants, in Mulhouse (France) and in Möhlin (Switzerland), provide a total covered area of 5,000 sqm with an opportunity to further expand, especially in the Mulhouse factory.

Stefano Buono, Newcleo chairman and CEO, commented: “I am delighted to welcome the Rütschi Group team to Newcleo. The addition of a further 70 colleagues with outstanding skills in nuclear engineering and project management, of manufacturing facilities in key geographies such as France and Switzerland and a high quality customer base brings a further important step in Newcleo’s industrialisation strategy.”