Planning

Supply of a Kneader

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Apr 2026 at 11:04

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED is acting as the buying organisation for this public procurement, focusing on the supply of industrial goods. The procurement involves a project titled "Supply of a Kneader," which is crucial for the production of graphite matrix material as part of the UK's TRISO fuel programme. The procurement is in the planning stage, under the preliminary market engagement phase, with a milestone for suppliers to send questionnaire responses by 7 May 2026. Located in Warrington, UK, this procurement falls under the industry category of mixer units and is governed by the UK's public procurement legislation. The contract period is slated to commence on 1 July 2026 and conclude on 1 October 2026.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses in the industrial equipment manufacturing sector, particularly those specialising in mixer units and related components. The procurement process offers businesses the chance to support the UK's TRISO fuel programme, an initiative important for achieving Net Zero targets. Small and medium-sized enterprises may particularly find this tender suitable due to its emphasis on innovative and specialised products. Businesses with expertise in designing and supplying high-performance equipment that satisfies specific industrial needs will be well-positioned to compete in this procurement exercise, helping them to expand their market footprint and develop new capabilities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of a Kneader

Notice Description

(Very) High Temperature Reactors ((V)HTR), High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors (HTGR) or Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) are variations of the same reactor design that has been marked as an important technology in moving towards Net Zero. These reactors all have key common features in the form of the graphite moderator and TRISO (Tri-structural ISOtropic, also known as Coated Particle Fuel (CPF)) fuel. As part of the UK government's CPF programme, UKNNL is working towards the production of graphite matrix material for use in TRISO fuel. To produce this material, phenolic resin, suitable solvents and graphite powders are mixed and kneaded until they become homogenous, typically for several hours at a controlled temperature. UKNNL are seeking a supplier to provide a kneader to support this material production. The kneader must be combined with a cold trap for vacuum drying of the solvent.

Planning Information

Suppliers must email Emma.Kirkpatrick@uknnl.com to receive the specification and PME questionnaire. Suppliers should review the draft specification and questionnaire attached to this notice. Questionnaire responses should be sent to Emma.Kirkpatrick@uknnl.com

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068978
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037017-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

42 - Industrial machinery

CPV Codes

42996400 - Mixer units

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Apr 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
7 May 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 1 Oct 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL NUCLEAR LABORATORY LIMITED
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WARRINGTON
Postcode
WA3 6AE
Post Town
Warrington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD61 Warrington
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Warrington
Electoral Ward
Birchwood
Westminster Constituency
Warrington North

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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