Oklo acquires Creative Engineers, adding 20 sodium specialists in-house

Oklo's acquisition of Creative Engineers brings three decades of sodium-handling expertise in-house, accelerating the path to commercializing its sodium-cooled Aurora fast reactor.

Oklo Inc. acquired Creative Engineers Inc., a specialist in sodium and alkali-metal systems with about 20 engineers and fabricators, to internalize critical capabilities for its Aurora sodium-cooled fast reactor. The deal brings CEI's expertise in liquid-metal systems, component development, fabrication, and applied research and development into Oklo's expanding technical organization.

"CEI brings specialized sodium- and alkali-metal engineering capabilities that are directly relevant to Oklo," co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jacob DeWitte said. "They have already been a strong technical partner, and bringing that expertise in-house will help accelerate our path to commercialization."

Founded in 1996, CEI has worked on landmark US sodium reactor programs including the Fast Flux Test Facility, Fermi 1, and Experimental Breeder Reactor II. The company has generated positive free cash flow for more than five years and manufactures pumps, flow meters, and pressure transmitters for liquid-metal systems. CEI President Rich VanLieshout said the team has "built its reputation around solving difficult engineering challenges involving sodium and other alkali metals."

The acquisition strengthens Oklo's ability to handle sodium systems — a core requirement for its Aurora powerhouse, a sodium-cooled fast reactor that uses passive safety characteristics and natural circulation for decay heat removal. Oklo submitted the first custom combined license application for an advanced reactor to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has a site use permit from the Department of Energy. Bringing CEI's expertise in-house reduces execution risk on specialized equipment, fabrication, and testing as the company moves toward deployment.

CEI's capabilities extend beyond sodium to include sodium-potassium alloy and lithium systems, as well as applied research in reactive metals. The company also works with metallization of high-value materials including silicon, titanium, tantalum, hafnium, scandium, and rare earth elements. CEI will maintain its existing commercial relationships across the nuclear sector while supporting Oklo's programs.

The Aurora design is a liquid-metal fast reactor that operates at atmospheric pressure and uses sodium as a coolant. Unlike conventional light-water reactors that require pressurized systems, sodium-cooled fast reactors can achieve higher fuel efficiency and produce less long-lived waste. The technology also supports Oklo's broader strategy of developing fuel recycling capabilities to convert used nuclear fuel into clean energy, a process the company is pursuing in collaboration with the Department of Energy and US National Laboratories.

For investors, the deal reflects Oklo's commitment to building in-house technical capacity for its reactor design rather than relying solely on external contractors. Oklo, which went public via a SPAC merger in 2024, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker OKLO. The company has not disclosed the financial terms of the acquisition, though CEI's positive free cash flow profile means the deal adds a revenue-generating business while strengthening Oklo's specialized engineering capabilities.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.