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CEZUS, dedicated to zirconium, key component of the nuclear fuel

Compacting of zirconium sponge, CEZUS Ugine

CEZUS, a proud member of AREVA, is a key component of the nuclear fuel cycle. Cezus is fully integrated in the manufacturing of Zirconium for complete mastering of the final product and performance.

  • From ore sand to finished tubing,
  • Integrated in the Fuel supply chain, 
  • R&D facility for material research and process modeling.

CEZUS, the global leader on the zirconium market, produces zirconium alloy tubes, bars, and sheets for pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs) .

Its operations are shared among five sites in France: Jarrie (Isère), Ugine (Savoie), Montreuil-Juigné (Maine-et-Loire), Paimboeuf (Loire-Atlantique) and Rugles (Eure).

CEZUS is part of the Fuel Zirconium Division that also includes the German plant, ANF (Duisburg).

  • JARRIE plant manufactures zirconium sponge through chemical operations and extractible metallurgical processes. It also values derived products issued from the zirconium process such as hafnium salt, magnesium and silicium, as well as zirconium and hafnium oxides and highly pure hafnium.
  • Ugine plant will turn Zr sponge into a Zirconium alloy semifinished product. Main operations are melting, forging, extrusion and recycling. Outputs are extruded billets, slabs and bars.
  • Rugles plant rolls (hot and cold) the slab to coils and strips for the structure of the fuel assembly.
  • Montreuil-Juigné plant transforms extruded billets into an extruded tube, the trex.
  • Paimboeuf and Duisburg plants pilder mills the Trex as a fuel rod (claddings and guide tubes). Paimboeuf plant also makes zirconium bars for end caps.
  • CEZUS has its own R&D center (“CRC”) located in Ugine, France. This center is  dedicated to R&D on Zirconium alloys, focusing on process and metallurgy :. It is the cornerstore of innovation and is known worldwide.

Zirconium

Zirconium is currently the reference material for nuclear fuel assemblies, for pressurized water reactors (PWRs) and boiling water reactors (BWRs),. This is due to their exceptional transparency to neutrons and corrosion-resistant properties.

CEZUS

AREVA
Fuel BU – CEZUS
33 rue La Fayette
75442 PARIS 09
Tél  : +33 1 34 96 00 00
Fax : +33 1 34 96 00 01