Orano has signed a major contract with NuRO (Nuclear Reprocessing and Decommissioning facilitation Organisation of Japan) for the reprocessing in France of around 200 tonnes of used fuel from reactors operated by the Kansai Electric Power Company. The contract follows the Exchange of Notes signed between the French and Japanese governments on 25 March authorising and framing for these operations.
The contract covers the reprocessing of used fuel at Orano’s La Hague plant, as well as the conditioning of the final waste that will be sent back to Japan. These operations will support bilateral studies on the demonstration of spent mixed oxide (mox) fuel reprocessing.
Materials extracted during reprocessing will be recycled into new nuclear fuel to power Japanese civil nuclear reactors. In France, up to 25% of nuclear-generated electricity comes from recycled materials.
The used fuel will be conditioned in next-generation transport casks (TN Eagle) for shipment from Japan to France. Manufacturing is already complete with the 12 casks having been assembled at the group’s new TN Eagle Factory in Cherbourg, France.
“The signing of this contract enables Japan and France to pursue their cooperation in reprocessing operations, especially for spent mox fuel, said Orano CEO Nicolas Maes. “This new partnership further strengthens the relationship of trust built up over the course of more than half a century with our utility customers in Japan.”
Corinne Spilios, Senior Executive Vice President of Orano’s Recycling Business Unit said the contract confirms the relevance of used fuel reprocessing carried out at the La Hague plant, including used mox fuel. “It represents a responsible and effective solution ahead of the establishment of spent mox fuel reprocessing technology in Japan. This contract also underscores the excellence and international reach of Orano’s la Hague and Melox facilities, and rewards the commitment of the teams mobilised in France and Japan to making this project a success.”
