AVANCEM, an advanced engineering company belonging to MADEMAN GROUP, has reached an important milestone in its industrial and technological development by securing three direct contracts with ITER Organization during 2026.
This achievement marks a significant step in consolidating the company as a supplier of advanced engineering and manufacturing for major international scientific facilities, particularly in fusion energy.
ITER, currently under construction in Cadarache, France, is one of the world’s largest scientific and technological cooperation projects. Its objective is to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy through an experimental tokamak device, with participation from some of the leading international scientific and industrial powers.
AVANCEM’s participation in three different contracts reflects the diversity of its technical capabilities, ranging from the design and development of mechanical solutions to the manufacture of high-precision components and tooling, specialised welding, testing and quality control.
Three contracts, different technological challenges
01 — VVPSS Exhaust Filters
1. VVPSS filters: engineering and manufacturing for ITER safety
The first contract awarded to AVANCEM covers the engineering development, manufacture and qualification of exhaust filters associated with ITER’s Vacuum Vessel Pressure Suppression System (VVPSS).
This system forms part of the tokamak’s safety infrastructure and is designed to help control pressure in certain accident scenarios affecting the vacuum vessel.
AVANCEM’s involvement comprises technical design development and the manufacture of components subject to stringent requirements for quality, traceability, dimensional control and technical documentation, as well as the verification and qualification processes included in the contract.
The project requires close coordination between engineering, manufacturing and quality assurance, following the inspection and validation procedures established by ITER Organization.
02 — HV Feedthrough Cloche Kit
2. Cloche Kit: precision components for high-voltage feedthrough systems
The second contract covers the manufacture of mechanical components for the HV Feedthrough Chamber, a chamber associated with high-voltage feedthrough systems.
The supply includes different types of components requiring precision machining, specialised welding, technical cleaning, dimensional control and helium leak testing.
This is series manufacturing, in which process repeatability, material traceability and the reliability of each component are fundamental.
This contract particularly highlights AVANCEM’s ability to connect manufacturing engineering, industrial production and the verification of components intended for demanding technological environments.
03 — PCCF Tie-Rods Insertion Tools
3. Tie-Rods Insertion Tools: assembly tooling for the tokamak
The third contract extends AVANCEM’s participation in ITER through the design and manufacture of the PCCF tie-rod insertion tools. Tie-rods are elements that connect parts and transmit loads. These tools allow them to be positioned in a controlled manner during assembly of the machine.
AVANCEM will supply three sets of tools with a common architecture and interchangeable adapters to cover the different assembly configurations. The scope covers the entire cycle: design engineering, precision manufacturing, Factory Acceptance Tests and delivery.
This project brings AVANCEM’s own design capability to its work for ITER, alongside the manufacture of precision components for highly complex scientific facilities.
Integrated engineering and industrial capability
One of AVANCEM’s distinguishing features is its working model, which combines specialised engineering with its own manufacturing and industrial integration capabilities.
As a MADEMAN GROUP company, AVANCEM is supported by an industrial ecosystem of approximately 10,000 m², with capabilities in machining, metal fabrication, welding, assembly, dimensional control and specialised testing.
This integration enables projects to be addressed from the analysis of technical requirements and manufacturing planning through to execution, inspection, documentation and final delivery of the components.
In contracts such as those undertaken for ITER, where traceability, reproducibility and compliance with quality procedures are essential, this connection between engineering and manufacturing provides a particularly relevant advantage.
A strategic commitment to fusion energy
The three ITER contracts form part of AVANCEM’s technological specialisation strategy focused on major scientific facilities, vacuum technologies, cryogenics, radiofrequency and advanced manufacturing.
The company also participates in projects and activities linked to other European scientific infrastructures and develops R&D initiatives aimed at strengthening industrial capabilities in strategic technologies for fusion energy.
Through these three contracts, AVANCEM reaffirms its commitment to developing technological and industrial capabilities able to contribute to the major scientific and energy challenges of the future.
