Valuable isotope used in quantum computing, neutron research, border security and medical imaging
Toronto, ON – Laurentis Energy Partners today announced a long-term commercial agreement with Air Liquide for the distribution of Helium-3 (He-3), a rare isotope used in quantum computing, neutron research, border security and medical imaging.
Laurentis recently announced its program to produce He-3 in Ontario before the end of the year. Laurentis will obtain the He-3 from tritium stored at the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station, about 100 kilometres east of Toronto. The tritium is removed from heavy water in the CANDU station, owned and operated by Ontario Power Generation (OPG), the parent company of Laurentis.
A stable (non-radioactive) and inert gas, the He-3 is extracted using a new custom-designed tool, which Laurentis installed and is commissioning at Darlington. The first batch of He-3 was extracted in November.
“We’re pleased to work with Air Liquide to supply He-3 to customers around the world,” said Jason Van Wart, Vice President of Laurentis. “Working together, we can help save lives, advance high-tech industries and expand the frontiers of science.”
As an expert in gas management and extreme cryogenics, Air Liquide will further purify the He-3 before packaging and distributing it to its clients around the world in health care, security and advanced research.
“One year after the acquisition of CryoConcept, specialized in technologies allowing to reach very low temperatures (close to absolute zero), this major agreement reinforces our core competencies when it comes to extreme cryogenics and deep tech, and illustrates our ambition to push back the frontiers of science,” said Emilie Mouren-Renouard, Member of the Air Liquide Executive Committee, in charge of Innovation, Digital and IT, Intellectual Property and the Global Markets & Technologies World Business Unit.
“In particular, it enables us to offer our customers an ever more comprehensive range of products and services including the helium-3 rare gas. It also confirms the willingness of Air Liquide to take part in the growing market driven by the quantum revolution and serve customers, leveraging its expertise in the field of ultra-low temperatures.”
See 1-minute video about Helium-3 and its uses: Video about He-3
About Laurentis Energy Partners:
Laurentis Energy Partners, a subsidiary of Ontario Power Generation, provides solutions for customers across the energy spectrum: from nuclear, hydro and solar generation, to the advancement of new technologies such as small modular reactors, and production of medical isotopes. Laurentis has offices in the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton and Bruce County in Ontario, Saint John in New Brunswick, and Bucharest and Cernavoda in Romania.
About Ontario Power Generation (OPG):
As a global climate-change leader and the largest, most diverse electricity generator in the province of Ontario, OPG is helping to lead Canada’s charge to a post-carbon economy.
About Air Liquide:
A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 78 countries with approximately 64,500 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide’s scientific territory and have been at the core of the company’s activities since its creation in 1902. Air Liquide’s revenue amounted to more than 20 billion euros in 2020. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.
For further information, please contact:
Jessica Jones
Senior Communications Advisor
Laurentis Energy Partners
(519) 389-1572
jones.jessica@laurentisenergy.