Framatome opens new fuel fabrication facility

Tuesday, 22 April 2025

The Romans-sur-Isère site includes workshops operated by CERCA, Framatome's subsidiary for the fabrication of fuel elements for research reactors. These workshops are organised around a "uranium zone" where compacted powder is produced to form fuel elements and medical-use targets.

As part of its investment policy and to meet expected growth over the coming years, the site decided to replace the existing uranium zone with a new uranium zone with new equipment, while bringing it up to the latest standards in nuclear safety and security.

_{Radiological cleanliness inspection in the new CERA workshop (Image: Framatome)}

"We have leveraged over 65 years of experience to enhance processes in the new facility," said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president, Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. "Safety, security, environmental considerations and the reliability of the installations were the primary focus. We can be proud of this new facility which will ensure the supply of fuel for research reactors and medical targets for our customers for decades to come."

Since 1959, CERCA has been developing its activity on the site with steady growth. Today, CERCA is the leading supplier of fuel to research reactors, supplying almost all European research reactors and a significant share of research reactors across the globe.

More than 20,000 fuel elements have been manufactured by CERCA for research reactors around the world. 75% of the world's technetium-99m scans are performed using medical targets produced by CERCA.