China’s first batch of commercial reactor Carbon-14 isotope was officially dispatched from China National Nuclear Corporation’s (CNNC’s) Qinshan Nuclear Power Base. This was the first mass production achievement for He Fu No 1, China’s first isotope production technology brand. It signals the establishment of China’s fully integrated industrial chain for Carbon-14 isotope development, from independent R&D and production to commercial supply.
CNNC said this marks a new stage in China’s isotope supply system, shifting toward greater self-reliance and innovation. Looking ahead, CNNC will continue to leverage its resources and technological advantages to accelerate the localization and scaled production of more medical isotopes, contributing to the Healthy China initiative.
Carbon-14 is widely used in Helicobacter pylori testing, new drug development, and environmental monitoring. However, only a fwcountries possess the technology for its large-scale production. With the support of the China Atomic Energy Authority, Qinshan Nuclear Power, relying on China’s commercial heavy water reactor, began independent R&D in 2019 through joint efforts with China Isotope & Radiation Corporation and other partners, now produces Carbon-14 through commercial reactor irradiation.
In April 2024, irradiated Carbon-14 target components were extracted from the heavy water reactor. After purification and processing, the first batch of Carbon-14 products meeting quality standards passed final testing. The expected annual output is sufficient to meet domestic market demand.
Qinshan Nuclear Power has been at the forefront of advancing diversified applications of nuclear energy. Currently, Cobalt-60 produced at Qinshan is used in a wide range of fields, including food preservation, meeting most of the domestic market demand and even some export.
Qinshan, China’s biggest NPP, comprises seven reactors. In Phase I a 300 MWe indigenously-designed pressurised water reactor (PWR) was built in 1985. Phase II comprised four CNP-600 PWRs, built with a high degree of localisation. Units 1 and 2 began operating in 2002 and 2004 and units 3 and 4 in October 2010 and April 2021. In Phase III, two 750 MWe pressurised heavy water reactors supplied by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd were commissioned in 2002 and 2003.
