Proxima Fusion Convenes the Industrial Development Board to Scale Europe’s Fusion Future

Proxima Fusion, building stellarators to power the future, led by Francesco Sciortino, Lucio Milanese, Jorrit Lion, Martin Kubie, and the team, has announced the creation of its Industrial Development Board (IDB), bringing together some of Europe's most experienced industrial and energy leaders to accelerate the shift from fusion science to large-scale industrial deployment. The IDB members include Luc Rémont, former CEO of EDF and Schneider Electric, Dr. Michael Bolle, former CTO and CDO of Robert Bosch GmbH, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Carl-Zeiss-Foundation, Ann Mettler, former Director-General at the European Commission and former Head of Europe at Breakthrough Energy, and Erich Clementi, Chair of E.ON and former IBM executive.

Together, the Board brings expertise across energy infrastructure, industrial scale-up, and global technology systems as fusion moves into an engineering and deployment phase. It also reflects the pan-European industrial foundation Proxima is building to scale fusion technology.

“Proxima has demonstrated that fusion can advance faster than many expected,” said Francesco Sciortino. “The next phase is scaling manufacturing, strengthening the industrial ecosystem, and leveraging new partnerships. This Board brings the experience and networks needed to help make fusion one of Europe’s defining industrial projects.”

From Innovation to Industrialisation

Proxima Fusion is developing stellarator-based fusion power plants, with its Alpha demonstration device targeting net energy gain in the early 2030s, followed by Stellaris, a first-of-its-kind commercial fusion plant later in the decade.

To support that roadmap, the Industrial Development Board will help translate R&D into large-scale industrial delivery, connect Proxima with industry leaders across sectors, and strengthen Europe’s position in the global fusion race.

“Fusion can become an important part of Europe’s future energy system, but only if approached as an industrial project from the beginning,” said Luc Rémont. “Proxima combines world-class engineering with a credible path to scale, positioning it to become Europe’s fusion champion.”

“Europe’s industrial engineering strength makes fusion a major opportunity for global leadership,” said Michael Bolle. “From automotive to precision optics, Europe has deep expertise in scaling complex systems. Fusion represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of energy, and Proxima has the potential to become a leading example of technology scale-up in Europe.”

“Europe has no shortage of innovation, but often struggles to turn breakthrough technologies into industrial leadership,” said Ann Mettler. “Fusion is at a pivotal moment where that path can still be shaped. Proxima has a strong opportunity to translate scientific leadership into long-term energy and industrial strength for Europe.”

“Fusion has the potential to become a defining platform for future energy systems,” said Erich Clementi. “Europe must align around both scientific and economic leadership in fusion, given the geopolitical importance of the field. Proxima has the opportunity to lead Europe in this global race.”

Building a European Fusion Ecosystem

The Industrial Development Board builds on the momentum of the Alpha Alliance, Proxima Fusion’s industrial partner network, which has expanded to more than 50 companies since February 2026. The initiative reflects a broader push to develop the industrial capabilities needed to deliver Alpha and scale fusion power plants across Europe.

“We are no longer asking whether fusion works, but how quickly it can be built,” said Francesco Sciortino. “The next phase is about coordination, aligning industry, capital, and policy to scale fusion technology effectively.”