Godrej Enterprises Group contributes to India’s civil nuclear journey with critical components for India’s first Fast Breeder Reactor
~ This milestone strengthens India’s three-stage nuclear programme and advances energy self-reliance through indigenous engineering~
Mumbai, April 08, 2026: India has taken a significant step forward in its civil nuclear programme with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieving criticality, marking progress into the next stage of its three-stage nuclear energy roadmap focused on long-term energy security and efficient fuel utilisation. The Precision Engineering business of Godrej Enterprises Group has contributed to this milestone by manufacturing and supplying the Large Rotating Plug (LRP), Small Rotating Plug (SRP), and the Sodium Pump Shaft to the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) a wholly owned Enterprise of Government of India. India becomes only the second country globally to establish such a commercial fast breeder reactor capability, enabling it to generate more fuel than it consumes.
These components combine large-scale fabrication with high-precision engineering. The rotating plugs, measuring up to 8 metres in diameter with a combined weight of nearly 120 tonnes, are designed to rotate 360 degrees and align with exact precision to enable fuel insertion into the reactor core. The 10-metre-long sodium pump shaft operates at over 500 RPM in a liquid sodium environment, requiring stringent control over balance, material integrity, and operational reliability. These components were designed and manufactured in India without any prior domestic reference, making this a first-time-right achievement for a first-of-its-kind application.
The execution of these systems involved overcoming multiple engineering challenges, including the development of specialised bearing systems, surface treatment processes for friction control, and gear systems designed to operate under stringent conditions, including seismic requirements. These solutions were developed and manufactured indigenously, reflecting strong in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The components are supplied to The Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) a wholly owned Enterprise of Government of India.
The PFBR achieving criticality marks the culmination of a 22-year effort and a key step in India’s three-stage nuclear programme. Fast breeder reactors enable a closed fuel cycle by using plutonium from PHWRs and producing more fissile material, while also unlocking thorium utilisation. Typically, four PHWRs can fuel one fast breeder reactor. India currently operates 19 PHWRs, with 10 more 700 MWe units sanctioned. With ~846,000 tonnes of thorium reserves, this stage is critical to scaling domestic, low-carbon, and self-sustaining energy.
This project is also a key milestone in India’s net-zero journey, as it reduces dependence on fossil fuels, generates zero direct carbon emissions, and enables fuel recycling to minimise waste.
Godrej Enterprises Group continues to support India’s strategic and industrial capabilities through advanced engineering, delivering high-precision solutions across sectors that are critical to national development.
About Godrej Enterprises Group:
Since 1897, the Godrej Enterprises Group (which includes Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates) has contributed significantly to India’s journey of economic growth. From the world’s first patented springless lock, and safes to pioneering Indian made typewriters, refrigerators, the ubiquitous steel almirah, the conglomerate has also paved the way for the growth of key sectors like aerospace, energy, and security.
Today, the Godrej Enterprises Group, has a presence across 5 continents with a market-leading presence across its consumer facing and nation building businesses. GEG comprises of aerospace, aviation, defence, motor solutions, energy solutions, locks & security, advanced engineering, real estate, intralogistics, consumer durables, furniture, vending, and Information Technology. www.godrejenterprises.com
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