French engineering company Assystem has offered €125m to Areva and EDF to take a 5% in NewCo, the new company created in August 2016 by Areva to handle its nuclear fuel cycle activities. Assystem is seeking to accelerate the development of its Energy and Infrastructure activities within the context of the digital and energy transitions.
In 2016, EDF and Areva agreed on EDF taking over exclusive control of Areva NP, Areva's reactor operations; that company was renamed New NP, while fuel cycle activities (Areva Mines, Areva NC, Areva Projects and Areva Business Support companies and their respective subsidiaries) were transferred into "NewCo".
In early 2017, Areva reached an agreement with both Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) and MHI on their acquisition of a stake of 5% each in NewCo for €250m each; in addition, MHI agreed to take over a 15% stake in NEW NP for Yen 40bn (US$366m) in April 2017.