India has reached an important milestone in its civil nuclear energy programme with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieving criticality. This development marks a significant transition into the next phase of the country’s three-stage nuclear roadmap, aimed at strengthening long-term energy security and improving fuel efficiency.
The Precision Engineering business of Godrej Enterprises Group has played a key role in this achievement by designing, manufacturing, and delivering essential reactor components, including the Large Rotating Plug (LRP), Small Rotating Plug (SRP), and the Sodium Pump Shaft. These components are central to the safe and efficient functioning of the reactor.
The rotating plugs, measuring up to eight metres in diameter and weighing a combined 120 tonnes, are engineered to rotate a full 360 degrees with high positional accuracy, enabling precise fuel handling within the reactor core. The sodium pump shaft, approximately 10 metres long, operates at speeds exceeding 500 RPM in a liquid sodium environment, requiring exceptional balance, durability, and resistance to extreme conditions.
This project presented several complex engineering challenges. Specialized bearing systems, advanced surface treatment processes for friction control, and high-performance gear mechanisms were developed to meet demanding operational and seismic standards. All solutions were executed using indigenous capabilities, without prior domestic benchmarks, marking a first-of-its-kind accomplishment.
The components were supplied to Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a Government of India enterprise responsible for the construction and operation of fast breeder reactors. The PFBR’s achievement of criticality concludes over two decades of sustained effort and technological advancement.
Fast breeder reactors are a crucial part of India’s nuclear strategy, enabling a closed fuel cycle that maximizes resource utilization. By using plutonium derived from pressurized heavy water reactors and generating additional fissile material, these reactors also open pathways for large-scale thorium utilization. With significant thorium reserves, India is well positioned to expand its low-carbon energy capacity through this approach.
Since its inception in 1897, Godrej Enterprises Group, which includes Godrej & Boyce and its affiliates, has been a key contributor to India’s economic development and self-reliance. The group has led the way in engineering innovation, design excellence, and sustainable manufacturing. From creating the world’s first patented springless lock and safes, to pioneering the production of Indian-made typewriters and refrigerators, Godrej Enterprises has played a significant role in shaping various industries. It has also been instrumental in the growth of critical sectors such as aerospace, energy, and security.
Today, Godrej Enterprises Group operates across five continents, maintaining a strong market presence in a wide array of industries. These include aerospace, aviation, defense, energy, locks & security solutions, green building consulting, construction and EPC services, intralogistics, tooling, healthcare equipment, consumer durables, engines and motors, furniture, architectural fittings, IT solutions, and vending machines.
