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Urenco Nuclear Stewardship continues to reach nuclear legacy milestones
22 March 2021
Urenco Nuclear Stewardship houses the UK’s former Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which was historically used in the uranium enrichment process.
This plant has reached another milestone through the completion of the decommissioning of cubicles that were once used for processing enriched materials.
The building has been successfully cleared following safe dismantling, decontamination, and disposal of wastes. The nature of the material processed, meant the cubicles were identified as one of the biggest challenges of the £300 million contract with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
By completing successful trials and applying learning gained during the decommissioning of a similar, but less challenging, facility, Urenco Nuclear Stewardship identified solutions to reduce disposals to the Low Level Waste Repository and saved the NDA nearly £4 million.
The success of the cubicle dismantling and cleaning is just one of many facets of the decommissioning of legacy facilities on the Capenhurst site. Since taking ownership of the site from BNFL and then Sellafield Ltd, Urenco Nuclear Stewardship have grown their capabilities in waste management along with the decommissioning of nuclear facilities. A decade of complex characterisation and waste-led dismantling of contaminated materials has given Urenco Nuclear Stewardship the vast experience they are now offering to support the nuclear industry.
Urenco Nuclear Stewardship have successfully secured a contract with LLW Repository Ltd (LLWR) to manage, treat and dispose of metallic waste from UK nuclear facilities over the next four years. The contract sees Urenco Nuclear Stewardship included in a framework, worth up to £65 million, under which it can compete to manage projects across the UK.
Dave Nelligan, Managing Director of Urenco Nuclear Stewardship, said: “This is a great demonstration of Urenco Nuclear Stewardship’s ability to provide materials management and decommissioning for the wider nuclear industry.
“Our organisation has decades of relevant experience from the Capenhurst Site, as well as recruiting experts from nuclear facilities across the UK and beyond. We look forward to making a valuable contribution to safely and sustainably managing nuclear materials on behalf of LLWR’s customers.”
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of enrichment services and fuel cycle products with sustainability at the core of its business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for 50 years, Urenco facilitates zero carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office near London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Using centrifuge technology designed and developed by Urenco, and through the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services; operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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