Westinghouse Electric Company, Nordion Canada (a Sotera Health company), and PSEG Nuclear (a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group), have announced key milestones in their joint initiative to establish the first commercial-scale production of Cobalt-60 in US Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs).
Westinghouse, Nordion and PSEG have entered into long-term agreements to implement newly developed Cobalt-60 production technology for PWRs at PSEG’s Salem nuclear generating station (units 1&2) in New Jersey, with Cobalt-60 planned to be supplied to Nordion. The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is reviewing PSEG’s Licence Amendment Request (LAR). The parties are targeting implementation of the technology in 2026, subject to NRC authorisation and plant operating schedules.
Cobalt-60 is a critical isotope used to sterilise more than 16bn single-use medical devices each year in the US, deliver cancer treatments through stereotactic radiosurgery, and enhance food safety through irradiation. The successful implementation of this technology at Salem will lay the groundwork for broader deployment across the global PWR fleet, which makes up more than 70% of the world’s commercial reactors, and will help anchor a scalable, resilient Cobalt-60 supply network.
“Creating a robust domestic source of Cobalt-60 builds on our longstanding ability to ensure reliability of supply for our customers,” said Riaz Bandali, President of Nordion. “Our collaboration with Westinghouse and PSEG comes at a critical time as demand for Cobalt-60 is increasing while accelerator-based irradiation technology is facing significant challenges in deployment and adoption.”
Charles McFeaters, President and Chief Nuclear Officer at PSEG Nuclear, noted: “PSEG is proud to participate in a project that highlights the versatility and value of nuclear energy. Producing Cobalt-60 at the Salem nuclear generating station while providing safe, reliable, carbon-free electricity showcases innovative opportunities for nuclear energy and an important new role in strengthening global healthcare.”
Sophie Lemaire, Interim Co-President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, said: “Deploying Cobalt-60 production technology into pressurised water reactors marks a significant milestone, extending Cobalt-60 production to a new reactor platform for the first time,” said. “This advancement strengthens global supply and demonstrates how commercial nuclear energy can support critical healthcare infrastructure.”
