IMI Expands Product Reach to North American Nuclear Industry with Agent Appointment

IMI Process Automation has announced a strategic agreement with Paragon Energy Solutions, a supplier of safety-related products and components for the nuclear industry.

The agreement means Paragon is now the exclusive North American representative for IMI’s valves and other related equipment to the nuclear industry, including actuators and vent silencers. IMI has more than 60 years of experience in nuclear power valves and provides invaluable expertise to prevent and address issues relating to legacy valves in nuclear power plants and designing new valves for the next generation of reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs). The agreement comes as nuclear power generation is increasingly seen as a vital to the energy transition, providing an ‘always on’ supply of power, unaffected by the fluctuations that impact renewables.

Kevin McKown, IMI Process Automation president for the Americas, said: “Our customer-driven approach to technology development is designed to optimise performance, enhance safety, and improve the efficiency of nuclear plants. By addressing legacy valve challenges and advancing nuclear power technologies, we can continue to contribute to a sustainable future for all, ensuring energy security, supporting the energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Our partnership with Paragon expands the reach of our products across the US and Canada, delivering important commercial and environmental benefits to an increasing number of nuclear power plants across the continent.”

Doug VanTassell, president and CEO of Paragon, added: “Paragon is very pleased to enter into this agreement with IMI, as its team understand the critical importance of ensuring the reliability and safety of flow control systems. Like Paragon, IMI has focused on innovation to develop technologies to extend the life of currently operating nuclear plants, support Power Uprates, and bring next-generation nuclear power stations to market.”

About IMI

IMI plc, the specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures and services highly engineered products that control the precise movement of fluids. Its innovative technologies, built around valves and actuators, enable vital processes to operate safely, cleanly, efficiently and cost effectively. The Group works with industrial customers across a range of high growth sectors, including energy, transportation and infrastructure, all of which are benefiting from the impact of long-term global trends.