Chemistry

The Chemistry business unit brings together the group's chemistry and uranium conversion activities. Involved at various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle, it specializes in the transformation of uranium concentrates.

Once extracted from mines, the uranium ore must be chemically processed for conversion into uranium hexafluoride (UF6), the intermediate product in the manufacture of nuclear fuel for reactors. The business unit is the world leader in this market.

In order to maintain this position, AREVA, thanks to the COMHUREX II project, is the first converter to renew and modernize its conversion industrial installations. The goal is to produce 15,000 metric tons of uranium per year from 2012. This level could be increased to 21,000 metric tons depending on market demand.

In addition, AREVA is the leading European producer of gaseous fluorine, essential for conversion. The non-uranium derivatives of the fluorine are used in the electronics and automotive industries.

Customers

The group supplies uranium hexafluoride to more than 50 customers around the world, mainly major European, Asian and American utilities.

The long-term contracts signed with its customers in 2006 can extend up to 2028.

Locations

The Chemistry business unit's activities are split across 4 industrial sites in the south-east of France: at the Tricastin nuclear site (in the Drôme and Vaucluse administrative departments), at the Malvési plant (near Narbonne in the Aude administrative department) and at Miramas (in the Bouches-du-Rhône administrative department).

Within the AREVA group, Chemistry operations are handled by AREVA NC.