China is hoping to build 30 nuclear power plants as part of its plans to develop and link infrastructure across Asia, according to China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC) president Sun Qin. The development of Chinese-run projects could be a further boost to the country’s stainless and special steel producers, Kallanish notes.

Sun says 130 new nuclear power plants could be built globally by 2020 and China is hoping to boost its share of projects. It has developed the Hualong One, which is a derivation of Westinghouse’s AP1000 third generation nuclear reactor design.

CNNC has signed bilateral agreements in Argentine, the UK, Brazil, Egypt, France and Jordan, including the export of six reactors. These so far have focussed on the more established international designs rather than the Hualong One.

The benefit for the Chinese steel industry could come as Chinese designs and engineering gradually improve their international reputation over the next decade, analysts say. Nuclear reactors typically consume large amounts of 304 and 316 series stainless, chrome-molybdenum alloys, high strength boiler plate and seamless tubes, as well as construction steels.