€2.4 million in funding awarded to SAXFUSION network

15 Oct 2025

German state of Saxony intends to advance nuclear fusion research and development.

The German state of Saxony has launched its first state-wide competence network for future technologies in nuclear fusion – called SAXFUSION. The aim is to advance fusion as a clean, safe, and base-load capable energy source, to build strategic expertise, and to make the results available to industry and society. The Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) coordinates the project.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS) co-leads the project. Other notable Saxon research institutions are also participating. In addition, SAXFUSION integrates major international projects and industrial partners through cooperation agreements. The European Union and the Free State of Saxony are supporting the project with around €2.4 million coming from the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE).

Controlled fusion of atomic nuclei offers the long-term possibility of ensuring a sustainable, emission-free energy supply. Various approaches are available for this purpose, most of which aim to generate and control a so-called plasma in which electrons and atomic nuclei can move freely and independently of one another.

Leading international institutions such as ITER in southern France, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the USA, and Wendelstein-7X in Germany have already achieved significant technological advances. Nevertheless, the SAXFUSION partners state that numerous questions remain unanswered: “for example, regarding the long-term stability of materials exposed to plasma, or for the efficient control of the fusion process. This is precisely where SAXFUSION is taking action,” says the IWS announcement.

Starting with lasers and optics

During a three-year development phase, the SAXFUSION team will identify and link existing expertise in the state. It will also specifically add competences, for example by establishing new collaborations and long-term research and development strategies. SAXFUSION starts with four central areas of expertise: laser and optical technologies, development of fuel capsules including the diagnostics of the fusion reaction, research into reactor materials, and comprehensive simulations and data analyses.

SAXFUSION supports the goals of the action plan to accelerate commercial fusion deployment in Germany that the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space has recently presented: from the construction of large-scale infrastructure, to the establishment of a complete value chain including the development of new business models, to the training of young professionals.

Dr. Michael Bussmann’s group of Computational Radiation Physics at HZDR coordinates the new network. At the Helmholtz center, the Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) in Görlitz and the Institute of Radiation Physics in Dresden are involved.

“With SAXFUSION, we bring together Saxony’s diverse expertise in fusion technology for the first time,” said Bussmann. “Our goal is to raise awareness of Saxony’s expertise in this future-oriented industry and to participate in international development projects.” The HZDR has built an international reputation in plasma experiments and material testing, in research with high-power lasers, and in the development of computer simulations and artificial intelligence for plasma research.

The SAXFUSION network links via the Helmholtz center to major European research infrastructures such as the European XFEL and the Extreme Light Infrastructure, as well as international fusion research centers such as ITER, LLNL and Wendelstein-7X.

IWS is responsible for transferring the technology into industrial practice. “The development of fusion energy is one of the greatest challenges of our time,” commented Prof. Christoph Leyens, IWS Director. “Together, we will develop technologies that open up new markets and strengthen Saxony's industrial companies internationally.”

SAXFUSION is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and by fiscal resources based on the budget approved by the state. The EFRE contributes to economic, social, and community cohesion by helping to balance regional differences within the EU. Saxony will receive around €1.95 billion from the EFRE for 2021 to 2027 funding period.