Coolant Commanders: CORE and Flowserve Launch Made-in-India Nuclear Pumps Strengthening India’s Nuclear Infrastructure and Indigenous Manufacturing Capabilities

In a significant stride toward strengthening India’s nuclear infrastructure and indigenous manufacturing capabilities, CORE Energy Systems Ltd. has announced a strategic collaboration with global fluid motion and control leader Flowserve Corporation. The partnership aims to locally manufacture Primary Coolant Pumps (PCPs)—critical components in nuclear reactor cooling systems—marking a major milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in nuclear technology.

 

This announcement comes at a time when India is accelerating its nuclear energy expansion to meet growing power demands and reduce carbon emissions. The collaboration is expected to bolster domestic capabilities in high-precision engineering and reduce dependence on imported reactor-grade components.

 

What Are Primary Coolant Pumps and Why They Matter

Primary Coolant Pumps are essential for circulating coolant through the reactor core, maintaining optimal temperatures and ensuring safe operation of nuclear reactors. These pumps operate under extreme conditions—high pressure, temperature, and radiation—and require rigorous design, manufacturing, and quality control standards.

 

Until now, India has relied heavily on foreign suppliers for PCPs, which are not only expensive but also subject to geopolitical and logistical constraints. The CORE–Flowserve alliance is poised to change that narrative by enabling local production of these mission-critical systems.

 

The Power of Partnership

CORE Energy Systems, headquartered in Mumbai, is a leading engineered systems supplier and EPC contractor with deep expertise in nuclear, oil & gas, and defense sectors. With ISO 9001:2015 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certifications, CORE has a proven track record of delivering turnkey solutions to India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), including NPCIL, BARC, and IGCAR.

 

Flowserve Corporation, based in Texas, USA, is a global leader in pumps, valves, seals, and automation solutions. With a legacy dating back to 1790 and a presence in over 50 countries, Flowserve brings unmatched technical know-how and manufacturing excellence to the table.

 

The collaboration will leverage CORE’s local infrastructure and project execution capabilities, combined with Flowserve’s design and engineering expertise. Together, they aim to produce PCPs that meet international safety and performance standards, tailored for India’s fleet of pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and upcoming small modular reactors (SMRs).

 

Local Manufacturing, Global Standards

The manufacturing will be carried out at CORE’s advanced engineering facilities in India, with Flowserve providing proprietary designs, materials expertise, and quality assurance protocols. The pumps will be built to withstand seismic events, thermal shocks, and radiation exposure—ensuring long-term reliability and safety.

 

Sachin Agarwal, Managing Director of CORE Energy Systems, stated: "This partnership is a testament to India’s growing capability in nuclear engineering. By manufacturing Primary Coolant Pumps locally, we are not only reducing costs and lead times but also enhancing national security and technological sovereignty."

 

Flowserve’s spokesperson added: "India is a key market for us, and we are proud to support its nuclear ambitions through this collaboration. Together with CORE, we will deliver world-class solutions that meet the highest safety and performance benchmarks."

 

Strategic Implications for India’s Energy Future

India currently operates 22 nuclear reactors and has several more under construction. The government’s goal to increase nuclear capacity to 22 GW by 2031 hinges on the availability of reliable, domestically produced components. The CORE–Flowserve alliance directly supports this vision by ensuring a steady supply of PCPs for new and existing reactors.

 

Moreover, the partnership aligns with India’s “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, promoting local manufacturing, job creation, and technology transfer. It also opens doors for export opportunities to other countries pursuing nuclear energy, especially in Asia and Africa.

 

What’s Next?

The first batch of locally manufactured PCPs is expected to roll out by mid-2026, following rigorous testing and certification. CORE and Flowserve are also exploring joint R&D initiatives to develop next-generation pumps for advanced reactor designs, including molten salt and fast breeder reactors.

 

This collaboration sets a precedent for future partnerships in India’s nuclear ecosystem, demonstrating that global expertise and local execution can together drive transformative change.

 

Sources: CORE Energy Systems Ltd – Official Website, Bing, Wikipedia