ITER, the largest fusion experiment, is an unparalleled source of expertise and growth for its European suppliers, offering a gateway to the growing fusion market. The journey of IDOM is a clear example of these opportunities. The Spanish engineering firm has been a longstanding partner of Fusion for Energy (F4E), providing a range of services and components for ITER. Today, its solid experience is placing it as a leading player in the field, involved in innovative projects across the fusion landscape.

IDOM’s collaboration with F4E began in 2008, when the company was awarded contracts to support civil engineering works in ITER. By 2010, IDOM had been awarded the “Support to the Owner” contract, establishing an on-site team of 20-25 experts to support F4E staff, still present in France.

In 2011, IDOM signed a series of framework contracts with F4E for engineering and analysis services, including thermal-hydraulics, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and mechanical analysis. Later, in 2014, the firm won the tender for the integration of diagnostics into the five ITER ports under F4E’s responsibility.

By this stage, IDOM had cemented a reputation as a skilled and reliable partner in fusion. This allowed them to win additional tenders, signing contracts such as the design of two critical diagnostics systems: the Core Plasma Thomson Scattering and the Bolometers. The company also got a contract for the design and supply of the Electron Cyclotron Upper Launchers, key for heating the plasma in ITER.

Beyond ITER, IDOM has also been engaged in other flagship fusion initiatives, such as the Broader Approach and the Joint European Torus (JET). Their services in JET, including risk analysis and life management were rooted in their extensive experience in the nuclear sector.

IDOM’s wealth of know-how and expertise, built over years of work for ITER, has unlocked new opportunities in the global fusion market. A testament to this is their collaboration with the STEP prototype plant, in development under the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

Furthermore, IDOM’s has started to work for several start-ups aiming to build fusion reactors, including Gauss Fusion (Germany), First Light Fusion (UK) and Kyoto Fusioneering (Japan). As an industrial partner, IDOM will bring their engineering expertise, proven by their contribution to ITER.

In addition to these, IDOM is involved in other start-ups and fusion-related project, although the details of these collaborations remain confidential.

As the fusion market shapes up, IDOM is poised to play an important role in the European supply chain, demonstrating the transformative effects of their partnership with F4E.