The investment will go to SGL Carbon, which makes NBG-18, a nuclear-grade graphite used in the Xe-100’s pebble-bed core. The move aims to address a growing supply challenge for advanced nuclear projects as they move toward commercial-scale production. Nuclear needs more than reactors One of those materials is NBG-18, a nuclear-grade graphite that plays two important roles inside the Xe-100’s pebble-bed core. The arrangement also adds another link to the US nuclear supply chain, with graphite produced in Europe moving to the US for machining before being used in reactor components. Building graphite for fleets The partnership also adds another link to the US nuclear supply chain, with graphite produced in Europe moving to the US for machining before being used in reactor components.