18 January 2008 -- GE Nuclear plans to form partnerships with uranium companies to develop its nuclear business and improve access to the fuel that runs reactors, according to the Bloomberg news service.

The business unit is holding talks with "several miners, millers and converters' to find partners after agreeing last year to use a new technology from Australia's Silex Systems Ltd. to expand into fuel enrichment, said Andrew White, CEO.

"We're in serious conversations, and I think we will do something in the first half of this year,' White was quoted as saying. He wouldn't name the companies, citing confidentiality agreements. "Obviously, if we're going into enrichment, we need the feedstock.'

General Electric, competing with companies including Areva SA and Toshiba Corp.'s Westinghouse Electric Co. is developing its nuclear business into a more integrated company with reactors, servicing and fuel supply, to some extent mirroring France's Areva.