The Global Plutonium-238 Market was valued at USD 58.7 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 82.3 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This specialized market is driven by NASA’s deep space mission requirements, increasing applications in radioisotope power systems, and growing demand for nuclear batteries in remote applications.

As global space agencies expand their exploration programs and medical isotope applications diversify, the focus intensifies on the limited number of producers capable of supplying this rare isotope. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Organizations in the Plutonium-238 Sector—government agencies, national laboratories, and specialized nuclear facilities maintaining this critical supply chain.

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🔟 1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Headquarters: Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Plutonium-238 production and purification

As the primary U.S. production facility for Plutonium-238, ORNL operates under contract with NASA and the Department of Energy. The laboratory has restored domestic production capabilities that were dormant for nearly 30 years, achieving 50 grams per year production capacity with plans to scale further.

Key Achievements:

• 100% supplier for NASA’s planetary exploration missions
• Developed advanced solvent extraction techniques for purification
• Partnered with Idaho National Laboratory on fuel encapsulation

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9️⃣ 2. Atomic Hi-Tech Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Radioisotope production including Pu-238

This Chinese state-owned enterprise has rapidly developed capabilities in radioisotope production, supporting China’s ambitious space program. The company currently produces small quantities of Pu-238 primarily for research applications.

Key Achievements:

• Developing radioisotope power systems for lunar missions
• Investing in neutron source technologies

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8️⃣ 3. Beijing Shuangyuan Isotope Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Isotope separation services

Specializing in chemical separation technologies, this company provides critical processing services for research institutions working with plutonium isotopes.

Key Achievements:

• Advanced chromatography systems for isotope purification
• Support for medical isotope research

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7️⃣ 4. Idaho National Laboratory (INL)

Headquarters: Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
Key Offering: Fuel fabrication and testing

INL serves as ORNL’s primary partner in the U.S. Pu-238 supply chain, specializing in the final stages of fuel production and performance testing.

Key Achievements:

• Developed specialized cladding materials for radioisotope heat sources
• Pioneered non-destructive testing methods for fuel pellets

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Plutonium-238 Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation

Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
Key Offering: Nuclear technology and isotope production

Russia maintains historical capabilities in Pu-238 production, though current output is limited primarily to supporting domestic space projects.

Key Achievements:

• Supplied Pu-238 for Soviet lunar missions
• Maintains small-scale production capacity

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5️⃣ 6. U.S. Department of Energy

Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
Key Offering: Program oversight and funding

The DOE manages America’s Pu-238 production program through its national laboratory network and allocates material for space and security applications.

Key Achievements:

• Restarted domestic Pu-238 production after three-decade pause
• Maintains strategic reserves for NASA missions

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4️⃣ 7. European Space Agency (ESA)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Alternative radioisotope power research

While Europe currently lacks Pu-238 production, ESA leads research into alternative radioisotope power sources for space applications.

Key Achievements:

• Developing americium-241 based power systems
• Collaborating with NASA on thermal management technologies

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3️⃣ 8. Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA)

Headquarters: Ibaraki, Japan
Key Offering: Nuclear technology research

JAEA conducts advanced nuclear research with applications in radioisotope power generation, though Japan currently relies on imported Pu-238.

Key Achievements:

• Developing domestic radioisotope thermoelectric generators
• Pioneering ceramic fuel forms for space applications

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2️⃣ 9. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

Headquarters: Chalk River, Ontario, Canada
Key Offering: Isotope research and development

Canada’s premier nuclear research facility provides expertise in isotope separation and nuclear materials science.

Key Achievements:

• Advanced neutron activation techniques
• Specialized nuclear safety research

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1️⃣ 10. National Nuclear Laboratory (UK)

Headquarters: Warrington, England
Key Offering: Nuclear fuel cycle expertise

The UK’s NNL contributes to European radioisotope power research and maintains capabilities in nuclear materials analysis.

Key Achievements:

• Supporting ESA’s radioisotope power initiatives
• Materials testing for space nuclear systems

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Plutonium-238 Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Market Outlook: The Expanding Role of Plutonium-238

The Plutonium-238 market remains constrained by limited production capacity but is seeing renewed interest due to expanding space exploration programs and medical applications. Current production meets only about 40% of estimated demand, driving research into alternative production methods.

📈 Key Industry Developments:

• NASA’s projected need for 1.5kg annually by 2025 for planetary missions
• Advancements in chemical separation reducing production costs
• Growing interest in radioisotope heaters for polar and space applications
• International collaborations to develop alternative production methods

Get Full Report Here:
Plutonium-238 Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The organizations profiled represent the critical infrastructure supporting one of the world’s most specialized material supply chains—enabling scientific exploration from the depths of space to remote Earth locations where conventional power is impossible.