Canada’s SMR Future Through Advanced Manufacturing
March is proud to have authored a recent report for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) titled Advanced Manufacturing for Small Modular Reactor Applications. This work contributes to a growing national effort to position Canada as a global leader in Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development, deployment, and manufacturing.
Why Advanced Manufacturing Matters for SMRs
SMRs represent a critical opportunity for Canada’s clean energy future. They offer reliable, low-carbon power, support energy security, and enable decarbonization across industries and remote communities. Development of SMRs would significantly benefit from a manufacturing ecosystem capable of producing high-quality components, something traditional fabrication methods alone may not fully support.
This is where advanced manufacturing technologies (AMTs) come in. AMTs are production approaches that integrate innovative technologies to improve the efficiency, flexibility, and precision of manufacturing processes. It typically involves either producing existing products through new methods or applying well-established methods in novel ways.
AMTs have the potential to:
- Reduce manufacturing costs and schedules
- Improve component performance and repeatability
- Enable innovative designs not achievable with conventional methods
- Support modular construction and scalable deployment
Purpose Of The Study
The CSA Group commissioned report, examines how advanced manufacturing technologies can be responsibly, safely, and effectively integrated into Canada’s SMR supply chain.
March’s work focused on:
- Assessing the technical maturity of five select advanced manufacturing technologies relevant to nuclear applications: Cold Spray, Laser-Powder Bed Fusion, Direct Energy Deposition, Powder Metallurgy-Hot Isostatic Pressing, and Electron Beam Welding.
- Reviewing existing Canadian and international standards applicable to these technologies
- Identifying gaps and barriers to adoption within a nuclear regulatory environment
- Highlighting opportunities for standards development to support safe and high-quality implementation
The report draws on industry engagement, technical literature, and standards analysis to provide a practical roadmap across manufacturing, regulation, and policy.
Why Is This Work Important To Canada?
This research supports Canada on multiple fronts:
Supporting Clean Energy and Climate Goals
By enabling more efficient and scalable SMR manufacturing, advanced manufacturing helps accelerate the development of SMR’s which supports Canada’s goals of net-zero ambitions.
Strengthening Canadian Manufacturing and Jobs
Advanced manufacturing adoption positions Canadian companies to participate competitively in domestic and global SMR supply chains, supporting the creation of jobs and long-term economic growth.
Ensuring Safety and Public Confidence
In the nuclear sector, innovation must go together with safety. Standards-driven adoption ensures new technologies meet rigorous quality and regulatory expectations before deployment.
Enhancing Global Competitiveness
Concise standards and manufacturing pathways make Canadian suppliers more attractive partners for international SMR projects, reinforcing Canada’s reputation as a trusted nuclear leader.
March's Role
As Canada continues to advance its SMR roadmap, March is proud to support the development of the technical foundations, standards, and engineering practices, that will help make SMRs a safe, viable, and globally competitive reality.
Read the full CSA Group report: Advanced Manufacturing for Small Modular Reactor Applications