Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. and Tokamak Energy today announced a new step in strengthening their collaboration to explore how high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape capability could be developed in the United Kingdom to support future demand.
This work builds on the longstanding relationship between Furukawa Electric and Tokamak Energy, as well as ongoing discussions regarding the role HTS technology could play in areas such as fusion energy, power transmission, and medical devices.
The agreement was signed at a formal ceremony in 10 Downing Street yesterday where Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Japanese counterpart Sanae Takaichi launched a new UK-Japan Frontier Technology Partnership to accelerate cooperation on the technologies of the future.
Founded in Tokyo in 1884, Furukawa Electric Group provides a broad range of technologies, products, and services in infrastructure, automotive systems, and electronics. The company has long contributed to innovation in superconducting technologies and, since the 1960s, has developed low-temperature superconducting (LTS) wires for fusion experimental reactors, including ITER. Through its U.S. subsidiary SuperPower Inc., the Group has also developed and commercialised HTS tape for applications in energy, medical, and research fields.
Founded in 2009 as a spin-out from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Tokamak Energy is a global leader in HTS and fusion technologies, with end-to-end capability in developing HTS systems from design to manufacturing. Headquartered in Oxford, with subsidiaries in the United States and Japan, the company works with governments and industry to develop and bring HTS and fusion solutions to market through innovation and strategic partnerships. Through its TE Magnetics division, Tokamak Energy is creating commercial opportunities for HTS applications, while also contributing to the development of advanced fusion systems.
Tokamak Energy also plays an important role in the UK’s fusion ecosystem. In April 2026, it was named Magnet Systems Partner for the UK Government’s STEP Fusion programme under a £70 million contract running to 2029. Through this work, the company is collaborating with UK Fusion Energy (UKFE) on the HTS magnet system for the STEP prototype power plant, while also contributing to tokamak systems and plasma integration. STEP is a UK-led programme that brings together government and industry to develop fusion energy and accelerate its pathway towards deployment. In building a prototype fusion power plant by 2040 it is expected to use an estimated 30,000 km of HTS tape.
As part of the collaboration between Furukawa Electric and Tokamak Energy, the companies are moving forward with an initial programme focused on tape research, development, prototyping, and feasibility assessment, including evaluation of manufacturing processes and future options in the UK. Subject to the outcome of these studies, this work could help lay the groundwork for future HTS tape manufacturing capabilities in the UK.
Furukawa Electric and Tokamak Energy have received letters of support from the UK Government and UK Fusion Energy (UKFE). The UK Government has expressed support for the companies’ emerging plans to develop HTS tape capability in the UK and its intention to continue working with the companies as those plans evolve. UKFE, which leads the STEP programme, has also expressed support for the development of UK-based HTS tape capability and its potential importance for future fusion development.
Furukawa Electric entered into an investment agreement with Tokamak Energy in December 2023, building on a longstanding strategic partnership aimed at realising zero-carbon, safe and secure fusion energy. This latest initiative reflects the two companies’ shared ambition to unlock the potential of HTS technologies in support of the future growth of the fusion ecosystem and wider industrial applications.
Hideya Moridaira, President and CEO of Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., said: “We have long been dedicated to the research and development of superconducting technologies, applying them across a wide range of fields. We are encouraged by the potential of this collaboration with Tokamak Energy and look forward to exploring how HTS capability — including future HTS tape manufacturing capabilities — could be developed in the UK.”
Warrick Matthews, CEO of Tokamak Energy Ltd, said: “Tokamak Energy has built a strong relationship with Furukawa Electric in recent years, and we greatly value the expertise the company brings in superconducting technology and manufacturing. Together, we are exploring how HTS tape capability in the UK could help commercialise fusion energy and unlock new levels of performance in a range of other industries, while strengthening our future HTS systems manufacturing capabilities.”
Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, said: “Britain is a world-leader in the fusion industry and this partnership between Furukawa Electric and Tokamak Energy will develop crucial capability to drive forwards progress in fusion energy. This is supported by our Fusion Strategy, helping to secure our future energy independence, champion innovation and research, and provide the skilled clean energy jobs of the future for British people.”
Dan Bishop OBE, UKFE’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “UKFE welcomes this collaboration, the close working between Furukawa Electric and Tokamak Energy as our Magnets Partner, and the opportunity it presents to strengthen partnerships and explore pathways towards future HTS capability in the UK in support of a secure, sustainable, safe, cost-effective national energy supply.”
Fusion energy requires strong magnetic fields to confine and control extremely hot hydrogen fuel in the form of plasma. These magnetic fields are generated using advanced magnet systems, in which HTS tapes play an important role. HTS materials can enable high current density, strong magnetic fields, and improved performance across a range of next-generation applications.





















