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Urenco USA Inc. announces next-step HALEU activities
05 February 2019
Urenco USA Inc., a US supplier of uranium enrichment services and nuclear fuel cycle products, today announces its capability in the provision of high assay low enriched uranium (HALEU). HALEU (U235 enriched up to 19.75 per cent) is a subcategory of LEU (U235 enriched up to no more than 20.00 per cent). It will be used for civil, peaceful applications in existing and new power plants as well as for research, test and medical isotopes facilities.
A new program at Urenco covers the production of HALEU. Urenco’s advanced gas centrifuge technology is capable of producing the full range of LEU enrichments, including HALEU.
Several Urenco enrichment facilities are already licensed to produce at enrichments above 5% U235 in line with today’s nuclear industry market requirements. Urenco is now exploring the construction of a dedicated HALEU unit at the UUSA facility. Urenco is progressing the design engineering and related licensing activities to support this project.
Further activity at UUSA is underway to support near-term delivery of slightly greater than 5% U235 enrichments for existing light water reactors interested in higher burn-up rates and/or extended operating cycles.
Thomas Haeberle, Chief Executive of Urenco, said:
“This work falls within the core expertise and technology of Urenco as a leader in the civil nuclear power industry for nearly 50 years, providing enrichment services for customers and meeting 100% of our deliveries.
We have proven enrichment technology which benefits from modular deployment. This was successfully demonstrated when we built the USA’s world scale commercial enrichment plant which can suitably accommodate a HALEU facility.
We are well placed to support operators in industry, medicine and research in order to meet the practical and logistical challenges of producing and transporting HALEU. This represents an exciting next stage in the civil nuclear power industry and we look forward to collaborating with existing and new customers on their requirements and using our expertise to provide a reliable fuel supply for the future demand.”
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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