Aternium selects Kiewit for pre-FEED on hydrogen facility, advancing $1 billion plan to produce clean hydrogen and critical heavy water domestically.
Aternium, a Wilmington, Delaware–based developer and producer specializing in clean hydrogen and heavy water, has appointed Kiewit Engineering Group Inc. to carry out the pre-front-end engineering and design (pre-FEED) work for its first integrated hydrogen and heavy water production facility. This project represents the initial phase of a broader, multi-plant development strategy that aims to establish a robust and scalable infrastructure for advanced energy materials.
The company’s long-term initiative is valued at approximately $1 billion and focuses on building a network of safe, efficient, and high-performance facilities dedicated to producing both clean hydrogen and heavy water. The rollout will begin in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, positioning the project to meet growing regional demand for low-carbon energy solutions while strengthening domestic capabilities in critical material production.
According to Andrew Cottone, Founder and CEO of Aternium, the collaboration with Kiewit reflects a strong alignment in technical expertise, safety standards, and operational excellence. He emphasized that the project is designed not only to supply high-purity hydrogen to the Mid-Atlantic market but also to address a strategic gap in the U.S. supply chain. Currently, heavy water—also known as deuterium—is predominantly produced outside the United States, particularly in countries such as China and Iran. By establishing domestic production, Aternium aims to reduce reliance on foreign sources and enhance national resilience in key industrial sectors.
Cottone further highlighted that the project will have broader socioeconomic benefits, including workforce development and job creation in local communities. By integrating advanced technologies and innovative processes, the initiative is expected to stimulate regional economic growth while supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems. Kiewit will join an established network of development partners and play a central role in executing Aternium’s distinctive business model, which is designed to deliver both clean hydrogen and heavy water at competitive costs.
From Kiewit’s perspective, the partnership represents an opportunity to apply its extensive experience in engineering, procurement, and construction within the energy sector. Tyler Nordquist, Executive Vice President at Kiewit Engineering Group Inc., expressed enthusiasm about contributing to the early-stage development of this significant project. He noted that the company’s technical capabilities and project execution expertise would add considerable value during the pre-FEED phase, helping to define the project’s scope, optimize design parameters, and establish a strong foundation for subsequent ????? of development.
Aternium’s integrated production approach is particularly noteworthy. By combining clean hydrogen generation with its patent-pending process for isolating heavy water, the company aims to achieve cost efficiencies that would be difficult to realize through standalone production methods. Deuterium, the key component of heavy water, is essential for a range of advanced applications, including nuclear fusion energy, semiconductor manufacturing, microelectronics, fiber-optic systems, OLED display technologies, and pharmaceutical production.
This dual-output model not only reduces the overall cost of hydrogen production but also addresses a critical vulnerability in the U.S. supply of strategic materials. As demand for both clean energy and high-tech components continues to rise, Aternium’s initiative positions itself at the intersection of energy transition and advanced manufacturing, offering a scalable solution that supports both economic and technological priorities.
