Proxima Fusion 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 are:
- Luc Rémont, former CEO of EDF and Schneider Electric
- Dr. Michael Bolle, former CTO and CDO of Robert Bosch GmbH and Chairman of
- Board of Trustees Carl-Zeiss-Foundation
- Ann Mettler, former Director-General at the European Commission and former Head of Europe at Breakthrough Energy
- Erich Clementi, Chair of E.ON and former IBM executive
Together, the Board combines experience in energy infrastructure, industrial scale-up and global technology systems, as fusion enters an engineering and delivery phase. The Board also reflects the pan-European industrial development that Proxima is building to realize fusion at scale.
Dr. Francesco Sciortino, Co-founder and CEO of Proxima Fusion: 'Speed and scale. Proxima has shown that we can move faster than most thought was possible; now the challenge is to scale up our manufacturing efforts, strengthen an industrial ecosystem, and leverage the expertise of new partners who are entering the field. This Board brings the experience and networks required to turn fusion into Europe’s greatest industrial project.'
From innovation to industrialization
Proxima Fusion is developing stellarator-based fusion power plants, with its demonstration device Alpha targeting net energy gain in the early 2030s, followed by Stellaris, the first-of-a-kind commercial fusion power plant later in the 2030s.
Delivering on this roadmap requires not only engineering excellence, but industrial capability at scale. The Industrial Development Board is focused on enabling Proxima. It will:
- Advise on the translation of R&D into large-scale delivery
- Connect Proxima to industry leadership across sectors, and
- Ensure that Europe does not miss its opportunity with fusion
Luc Rémont, former CEO of EDF and Schneider Electric: 'Fusion has the potential to become a meaningful part of Europe’s future energy system, but only if it is treated as an industrial project from the outset. Proxima combines world-class engineering with a credible path to scale With its deep foundations in research and engineering, it can become Europe’s fusion champion and that's why I'm proud to support this very impressive company.'
Dr. Michael Bolle, former CTO and CDO of Robert Bosch GmbH and Chairman of Board of Trustees Carl-Zeiss-Foundation: 'Europe's industrial engineering strength is outstanding. Fusion is exactly the kind of challenge where this competence matters most and where there is a real opportunity to lead globally. We have a strong foundation in building and scaling complex systems from automotive to machinery and precision optics. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of energy systems , and I’m glad to contribute and ensure that Proxima becomes a new textbook example of how to scale technology in Europe.'
Ann Mettler, former Director-General at the European Commission and former Vice-President, Europe at Breakthrough Energy: 'Europe does not lack innovation - it too often fails to turn breakthrough technologies into industrial leadership. Fusion is at a rare moment where that trajectory can still be shaped. The real test now is whether Europe can back and scale the companies capable of translating scientific leadership into energy security, economic strength and long-term competitiveness. Proxima has a clear opportunity to lead in fusion, and I’m excited to be part of it.'
Erich Clementi, Chair of E.ON and former IBM executive: 'Fusion can become the defining technology platform for future energy systems. Europe must come together to maximize chances of success, not just in science, but in economic development. The geopolitical stakes are too high to do otherwise. Proxima must lead Europe in this new global race.'
Building a European fusion ecosystem
The Industrial Development Board builds on the momentum of the Alpha Alliance, Proxima’s industrial partner network, which has already grown to more than 50 companies since February 2026. The establishment of the IDB marks a broader shift towards building the capabilities required to deliver Alpha and scale fusion power plants in Europe.
Francesco Sciortino, Proxima’s CEO, added: 'We are no longer asking if fusion works, we are asking how fast we can build it. This phase is defined by coordination: bringing together industry, capital and policy to move at scale. This is where we need to prove ourselves next.'
About Proxima Fusion
Proxima Fusion spun out of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) in 2023 to build fusion power plants using QI-HTS stellarators. Proxima has since assembled a world-class team of engineers, scientists and operators from leading companies and institutions, such as the IPP, MIT, Harvard, SpaceX, Tesla, and McLaren. By taking a simulation-driven approach to engineering that leverages advanced computing and high-temperature superconductors to build on the groundbreaking results of the IPP’s W7-X stellarator, Proxima is leading Europe into a new era of clean energy, for good.
Source: Proxima Fusion
