Nukem Technologies

Last updated
NUKEM Technologies GmbH
Company type Subsidiary
IndustryNuclear engineering
Predecessor Nukem GmbH
Founded2006 (2006)
Headquarters
Karlstein am Main
,
Germany
Key people
Thomas Seipolt (Managing Director)
Services Radioactive waste and spent fuel management
Nuclear engineering and consulting
Nuclear decommissioning
TRISO fuel technology
Number of employees
170
Parent Muroosystems Corporation
Website www.nukemtechnologies.de

NUKEM Technologies GmbH was a German nuclear engineering company established in 2006, specializing in radioactive waste management, spent fuel management, and nuclear decommissioning. Its history traces back to Nukem Nuklearchemie und Metallurgie GmbH, founded in 1960, and underwent multiple ownership changes and restructurings, ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 2024 due to geopolitical pressures. It was subsequently acquired by Japan’s Muroosystems Corporation, completing liquidation in December 2024, with operations transferred to its subsidiary, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH. [1] With extensive expertise in TRISO fuel, NUKEM contributed to projects like Germany’s THTR-300 and China’s HTR-10, establishing itself as a key player in the global supply chain for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and small modular reactors (SMRs).

Contents

History

Early Years and Restructuring (1960–2012)

NUKEM Technologies GmbH originated from Nukem Nuklearchemie und Metallurgie GmbH, founded in 1960 by Degussa, Rio Tinto, and Mallinckrodt to manufacture nuclear fuel elements and trade nuclear materials. [2] In 1969, its light-water reactor fuel business was transferred to KWU (Kraftwerk Union AG), shifting focus to uranium trading, waste management, and engineering services. [3] In 1988, RWE AG fully acquired NUKEM, becoming its sole shareholder. [4]

In 2006, RWE sold NUKEM to Advent International (via Advent Energy S.à r.l.) for €205 million, restructuring it into NUKEM GmbH (retaining nuclear fuel trading) and establishing NUKEM Technologies GmbH as a subsidiary for decommissioning and waste management. [5] In 2007, NUKEM divested several subsidiaries: NUKEM Ltd. (UK) to Freyssinet SAS (VINCI Group), NUKEM Corp. (USA) to EnergySolutions, and NIS Ingenieure (Germany) and Assistance Nucléaire S.A. (France) to Siempelkamp. [6] In 2011, RWE spun off the isotope trading business into NUKEM Isotopes GmbH. [7] In 2012, NUKEM Energy GmbH was sold to Cameco for $136 million. [8]

Russian Ownership (2009–2024)

On 14 December 2009, NUKEM Technologies GmbH was sold to Russia’s Atomstroyexport for €23.5 million, integrating it into Rosatom’s nuclear industry group. [9] [10] In 2014, it established NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH as a subsidiary focused on nuclear decommissioning, waste management, and engineering services. [11] Following the Russo-Ukrainian War’s outbreak in 2022, its Russian ownership led to market restrictions in Europe and North America, culminating in insolvency proceedings filed in Germany in April 2024. [12]

Japanese Acquisition (2024)

On May 29, 2024, Japan’s Muroosystems Corporation signed an agreement to acquire NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH and core assets of NUKEM Technologies GmbH from its insolvency administrator. [13] The acquisition was completed in October 2024, with economic ownership transferred on September 25, 2024, following German government approval on September 9, 2024. [14] NUKEM Technologies GmbH concluded bankruptcy liquidation in December 2024, with its operations fully transferred to NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH under Muroosystems’ ownership. [15]

Projects

NUKEM Technologies has undertaken several significant nuclear projects:
- Construction of interim used fuel storage and solid waste facilities for the closed Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania. [16] [17] [18]
- A pilot fuel plant for South Africa’s pebble bed modular reactor (PBMR) project, awarded in 2007 (later canceled). [19]
- Dry spent fuel storage facilities at Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant in Bulgaria.
- Waste treatment and conditioning complexes at Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, and Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Russia and Ukraine.
- Dismantling of the reactor block at Brennilis Nuclear Power Plant in France.

Under Muroosystems, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH is exploring TRISO fuel development and nuclear fusion waste management.

References

  1. ↑ "Muroosystems completes purchase of Nukem Technologies". World Nuclear News. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  2. ↑ Radkau, Joachim (2013). The Nuclear Industry in Germany. Deutsches Museum. pp. 112–115. ISBN   978-3-940396-61-7.
  3. ↑ Schneider, Mycle (1970). "The Evolution of Nuclear Fuel Supply in Germany". Nuclear Technology. 45 (3): 231–238. doi:10.13182/NT70-A28734.
  4. ↑ "RWE übernimmt Nukem vollständig" (in German). Handelsblatt. 1988-06-15. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Advent International acquires NUKEM from RWE". Reuters. 2006-07-10. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  6. ↑ "EnergySolutions Acquires NUKEM Corporation". EnergySolutions. 2007-09-12. Archived from the original on 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  7. ↑ "NUKEM Isotopes GmbH Established". NUKEM Isotopes GmbH. 2011-04-01. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Cameco to buy Nukem Energy". World Nuclear News . 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2012-05-15.
  9. ↑ "Atomstroyexport buys NPP decommissioning technology". Kommersant . RIA Novosti. 2009-12-25. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved 2009-12-26.
  10. ↑ "Nukem Technologies now owned by ASE". World Nuclear News . 2009-12-15. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  11. ↑ "NUKEM Technologies Establishes Engineering Subsidiary". NUKEM Technologies GmbH. 2014-03-20. Archived from the original on 2024-01-15. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  12. ↑ "NUKEM initiates insolvency proceedings". NEI Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
  13. ↑ "Notice Regarding the Acquisition of All Shares of NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH". Muroosystems Corporation. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Muroosystems completes purchase of Nukem Technologies". World Nuclear News. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
  15. ↑ "NUKEM Technologies GmbH concludes insolvency proceedings". NEI Magazine. 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  16. ↑ "Construction go-ahead for Ignalina waste stores". World Nuclear News . 2009-09-03. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  17. ↑ "Lithuania has problems disassembling the old Ignalina power plant". CE Weekly. Centre for Eastern Studies. 2010-05-26. Archived from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  18. ↑ Hyndle-Hussein, Joanna (2011-09-14). "Lithuania: Problems with decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant". CE Weekly. Centre for Eastern Studies . Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  19. ↑ "Nukem awarded contract at PBMR fuel plant". World Nuclear News . 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
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