Framatome expands presence at Cadarache

In a ceremony attended by more than 100 customers, partners and employees, Catherine Cornand, senior executive vice president of Framatome's Installed Base Business Unit, cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the new centre.

The new engineering research and operations centre is home to a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for carrying out construction, safety reviews and dismantling projects on behalf of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and TechnicAtome. The team also works on the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor - currently under construction at Cadarache - being responsible for the installation of the Tokamak as part of a consortium with Chinese partners.

Cornand said: "Our team's expertise allows us to deliver innovative nuclear products and services to our customers worldwide that provide a safe, competitive and low-carbon source of energy."

Intercontrôle, a 100% subsidiary of Framatome, develops, qualifies and implements on-site automated non-destructive solutions for nuclear reactor components. It provides inspection services for reactor pressure vessels and steam generator tubes.

Framatome said that, with the expanded Cadarache facility, Intercontrôle is positioned for growth and will continue to provide specialised services and maintenance, and develop new non-destructive testing solutions. The new facility, it said, allows Intercontrôle to "continue to provide its services in the region beyond 2030".