Project will create more than 200 jobs and establish first U.S.-origin commercial laser enrichment plant
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (January 16, 2026) — LIS Technologies, the sole U.S.-origin developer of patented laser uranium enrichment technology, announced plans to invest approximately $1.38 billion to establish a commercial laser uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, creating 203 new jobs.
State officials, including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Deputy Governor and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, joined company leaders to unveil the project, which will locate on the historic K-25 site at the former Oak Ridge uranium enrichment complex.
Once complete, the facility is expected to become the world’s first U.S.-origin commercial laser uranium enrichment plant, supporting domestic utilities, next-generation nuclear reactor developers, and U.S. national defense needs. The project is designed to help rebuild a resilient domestic nuclear fuel supply chain, strengthening U.S. energy security and reducing reliance on foreign enrichment capacity.
The investment represents the third-largest nuclear-related project announced since the creation of Tennessee’s Nuclear Energy Fund, underscoring the state’s growing role as a national hub for advanced nuclear technologies.
“Tennessee is leading the nation in advancing American energy independence, which is why innovative companies like LIS Technologies are choosing to do business here,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “By creating the Nuclear Energy Fund, we have positioned our state at the forefront of cutting-edge nuclear research, development, and manufacturing.”
The Oak Ridge expansion builds on LIS Technologies’ recent federal momentum. In 2024, the company was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to participate in the Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) Enrichment Acquisition Program, a federal initiative allocating up to $3.4 billion to support domestic enrichment capacity through long-term contracts.
Founded in 2023, LIS Technologies maintains its headquarters and laser enrichment research and development operations in Oak Ridge’s renovated K-1330 building. The company is the seventh nuclear-focused firm to establish commercial operations in Tennessee with support from the Nuclear Energy Fund, which has grown to $70 million through successive state budget allocations since its inception.
“Selecting Oak Ridge is both a strategic and symbolic decision for LIS Technologies,” said Jay Yu, executive chairman and CEO of LIS Technologies. “Our laser enrichment technology fundamentally changes the economics of enrichment, enabling faster deployment, lower capital requirements, and long-term cost advantages while positioning the U.S. to lead the world in commercial laser enrichment.”
Local and regional leaders emphasized the project’s impact on East Tennessee’s advanced energy ecosystem and workforce.
“This investment represents more than the construction of a single facility,” said Christo Liebenberg, president and co-founder of LIS Technologies. “It reflects a commitment to restoring a critical domestic capability as global demand for nuclear fuel continues to rise.”
The project further reinforces Oak Ridge’s historic role in America’s nuclear enterprise while advancing the region’s future as a center for nuclear innovation, advanced manufacturing, and national security.
About LIS Technologies
LIS Technologies Inc. is a U.S.-based developer of patented laser isotope separation technology using advanced infrared laser systems to selectively enrich isotopes. Its proprietary Laser Isotope Separation Technology (L.I.S.T.) offers significant advantages over traditional enrichment methods, including improved energy efficiency, reduced capital intensity, and scalable deployment.
The technology is optimized for Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) for existing nuclear power plants, High-Assay LEU (HALEU) for next-generation small modular reactors and microreactors, as well as applications in medical isotope production, scientific research, and advanced semiconductor and quantum computing manufacturing.
For more information, visit LaserIsTech.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) works to strengthen Tennessee’s economy through job creation, business recruitment, and community development initiatives. The department partners with communities statewide to build vibrant, competitive environments where businesses and families can thrive. Learn more at tnecd.com.
