TOKYO, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- French nuclear manufacturer Areva and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan will join forces for a new generation of nuclear reactors.
The International Herald Tribune reports the firms will build 1,000-megawatt, pressurized-water plants for an expected demand in Europe and Asia.
Beyond building the plants, Areva and Mitsubishi may also work together on other nuclear plant issues, including fuel cycle.
The International Atomic Energy Agency says 60 percent of 442 reactors operating in the world are pressurized-water types, which the two companies will build.
Areva is owned by France and built the 58 reactors the online in the country.
Mitsubishi built about half the 55 units running in Japan.
The two will collaborate on orders to built reactors, sharing technology and developing the next generation of reactors, the Financial Times reports.
The match-up is the latest of mergers or collaborations in the international nuclear field.
Mitsubishi had been working with Toshiba, also from Japan, until Toshiba purchased U.S. nuclear plant manufacturer Westinghouse.
GE has teamed up with Hitachi as well.
