Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd. (SFIL) secured the government funding needed to install the U.K.’s first 15,000-metric-ton forging press to make ultra-large nuclear components. The U.K. government’s funding agreement allows SFIL to capitalize on international demand for safety-critical forgings as it joins a group of only five companies worldwide capable of producing the largest components for nuclear power reactors. The demand for heavy nuclear forgings is set to more than triple by 2020. SFIL is the only U.K. company with ASME certification to manufacture civil nuclear castings and forgings, and it will be able to roll out production of the largest forgings within three years of the equipment’s installation.

The government’s package complemented other contributions by SFIL’s key partners, including nuclear power-plant manufacturer Westinghouse. As a result of securing the funds, SFIL will create hundreds of jobs at its Brightside Lane site. This development follows the company’s 10-year trade agreement to oversee the development of power-generation forgings with India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.