A shortage of plutonium could hold back a new generation of nuclear projects, with start-ups battling to secure the radioactive material given the limited supplies available to civilian projects.

Plutonium, which cannot be mined, is a byproduct of spent uranium-based fuel used in reactors. Its huge explosive capacity makes it ideal for nuclear warheads, meaning its usage and extraction have been highly restricted for decades.

Some designs for a new crop of nuclear projects require the material to help power their systems, with companies trying to find an adequate supply to carry out testing as well as eventually running the reactors.

Read more in the Financial Times here.

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