Proxima Fusion bets €140M on a critical fusion ingredient dominated by Asian suppliers

German fusion startup Proxima Fusion has announced a significant €140 million ($162.6 million) investment to construct a specialized factory dedicated to producing high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape. This material is a vital component for the company's proprietary fusion reactor design. By establishing domestic production, Proxima Fusion aims to reduce its reliance on existing global supply chains, which are currently heavily dominated by Asian manufacturers. The move represents a strategic effort to secure the necessary hardware for its energy technology roadmap while insulating the company from potential supply chain volatility. The facility will focus on manufacturing fusion-grade HTS tape, a critical ingredient that enables the powerful magnetic fields required for commercial fusion energy. This investment underscores the growing trend of deep-tech startups taking control of their supply chains to accelerate the development of next-generation energy solutions.