Just now
The global demand for reliable, affordable, and clean energy is accelerating. Electrification is reshaping nearly every sector — from transportation and manufacturing to data infrastructure — driving rapid growth in power consumption. As countries work toward ambitious decarbonization goals, rising electricity demand is underscoring the need for dependable, carbon-free power sources that can operate alongside variable generation on the grid.
We believe that advanced nuclear energy will be an essential part of the clean energy mix. That’s why we’re excited to announce Toyota Ventures’ investment in Natura Resources, a Texas-based company developing advanced molten salt nuclear reactors (MSRs) that offer a new approach to safe, scalable, and sustainable nuclear power.
Nuclear energy already provides a significant share of the world’s carbon-free electricity, but traditional nuclear power plants face persistent barriers — high capital costs, long construction timelines, and challenges in finding suitable locations. The latest class of nuclear technologies, known as Generation IV reactors, aims to change that narrative. These advanced systems emphasize modularity, passive safety, and fuel efficiency while maintaining strong non-proliferation safeguards. They are designed for standardized manufacturing and faster deployment, offering the potential to make nuclear power both accessible and adaptable to modern energy needs.
Natura Resources is helping lead this shift with its liquid-fueled molten salt reactor design, which operates at atmospheric pressure and high temperatures. This combination delivers higher thermal efficiency, lower mechanical stress, and greatly reduced risk of catastrophic failure. Natura’s approach also enables long-duration energy storage and dynamic load-following, allowing nuclear to complement renewable sources like wind and solar more effectively. Additionally, the technology supports harvesting of rare medical isotopes and efficient desalination of produced water.
Since its founding in 2020, the company has built a strong coalition of university research partners to advance regulatory approval and accelerate technology development. It is pursuing a methodical, de-risked path toward commercial demonstration, forming industrial partnerships to support future market deployment. Natura Resources has also assembled a seasoned leadership team led by founder and CEO Douglass Robison, who has deep expertise in advancing new energy technologies.
At Toyota Ventures, we’re committed to backing visionary founders who are tackling some of the hardest problems in climate and deep tech. As the U.S. and global energy sectors look to modernize their nuclear fleets and expand clean power capacity for AI and other uses, advanced nuclear technologies like Natura Resources’ molten salt reactor could play a foundational role in achieving energy resilience goals. We’re proud to support the Natura team as they work to make this future possible.
You can learn more about Natura’s work at naturaresources.com.