Uranium enrichment firm Urenco has signed an agreement with the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Agency to process depleted uranium hexafluoride, an enrichment by-product, into a more stable form (uranium oxide) for storage.
The process would take place at a new Tails Management Facility at the Sellafield Capenhurst site. Construction of the facility began in January 2012 under the management of Urenco ChemPlants Ltd; completion is expected in 2015.
As part of the project, Urenco has applied to the UK regulator to receive title of part of the Capenhurst site, from Sellafield. UK regulator the Office of Nuclear Regulation said that it expects the transfer process to be completed in December 2012.
