Issues and prospects for the Back End business group

Expertise in recycling - a strategic competitive advantage

Recycling to get more visibility and independence

Recycling provides increased available resources and contributes to the long-term visibility and stability of the nuclear power option. For precisely this reason, a number of countries are turning to this technology, which represents an important factor in their energy independence. Some of these countries are even planning to have their own facilities and will rely on AREVA’s expertise to develop them.

Recycling and redevelopment to reduce the environmental footprint

In France today, 1 light bulb in every 10 is powered by MOX recycled fuel. And this is set to rise even more: the EPR™ reactor currently in construction in a number of countries across the world is capable of operating exclusively using MOX fuel.

The nuclear power plants built in the 50s and 60s are coming to the end of their operational lives. AREVA's expertise in dismantling and clean-up enables it to rehabilitate these sites and grant them a second life. They can then play host to new projects.

Recycling also confirms to a regime of safety and security, which facilitates the achievement of the goal of non-proliferation by States.

A strategy structured around 6 main thrusts

In order to consolidate its position as world leader in the field of used fuel management, AREVA is developing its strategy based around 6 main thrusts.

1. Consolidating its used fuel recycling activities

The group is working to strengthen and extend its order portfolio with electricity companies in France and elsewhere.

2. Promoting its closed cycle technologies worldwide

The group intends to develop its end-of-cycle technologies by working closely with the public authorities in countries seeking to develop their own recycling facilities. For example :

• In Japan, the group has been organizing a significant transfer of technology with its Japanese partner customers since 1987. The technology developed in this field has led to the construction of a used fuel recycling plant by JNFL (Japan Nuclear Fuels Limited) at the Rokkasho-Mura site, with a capacity of around 200 tWh per year (the equivalent of 800 tons of irradiated Heavy Metals per year).
• In the United States, the group's recycling technologies have provided the basis of the "US Plutonium Disposition Program", which consists of building a MOX fuel fabrication plant (AREVA MFFF at Savannah River) for the Department of Energy, using plutonium of American military origin.

3. Consolidating its position as market leader in used fuel transport and storage

The Logistics business unit aims to reinforce its global leadership position in the business of transporting and storing used fuel, in the front end as well as the back end of the fuel cycle.

In the United States, for example, it is consolidating its leadership position on the dry storage systems market while preparing for the expected upturn in the used fuel transportation market. Transnuclear Inc.’s used fuel loading and transfer offer for American operators demonstrates the pursuit of this growth area. New containers have been developed in 2008, the design of which provides the duel function of storage and transportation.

4. Developing products and services associated with the transportation of nuclear fuels and materials

This is based on the Logistics business unit’s strategic objective. In effect, this stands as a measure for the monitoring and safety of all the group's nuclear material transports, both on the front end and the back end of the cycle.

For example, within the framework of transporting mining concentrates from Niger, the business unit created a site at Niamey and developed new equipment and procedures in order to reinforce transport safety. In addition, it achieved the first transport of mining concentrates to India.

5. Controlling the progress of clean-up and dismantling operations, and rehabilitation of former sites

The group has developed expertise in this field for over 20 years, in the clean-up, dismantling and rehabilitation of nuclear sites at the end of their service life. With this experience already behind it, AREVA is now moving forward with work in France and elsewhere on worksites at its own facilities and those of CEA.

Considering the huge business development potential in this area, the group has structured itself to become a major player.

6. Provide the engineering for the group’s new projects

On this backdrop of nuclear renaissance, the group wants to renew and develop its industrial capabilities in all of its core activities, but it also wants to increase the number of projects in which it is the architect engineer/prime contractor for the construction of customer fuel cycle facilities and reactors. Participating in this growth is a strategic objective for the Engineering business unit.