Reston, Virginia-based Lightbridge and Framatome – then Areva – in September 2017 signed a binding agreement to set up a joint venture to develop, manufacture and commercialize Lightbridge's advanced metallic fuel technology. The fuel is made from a zirconium-uranium alloy and uses a unique composition and fuel rod geometry, which the company says offers improvements to the economics, efficiency and safety of existing and new nuclear power plants.