Proven expertise in recycling and nuclear waste management
Nuclear fuel management raises numerous questions and a fair share of misconceptions. What is nuclear fuel recycling? What is MOX and what are its advantages? How are non-recyclable elements such as highly radioactive waste managed? Because preparing the future entails not only opting for low-carbon energies that limit impact on the climate but also controlling and optimizing waste management for future generations.
Our articles about recycling and nuclear waste
MOX, a fuel assembly made from recycled nuclear fuel
More than 50 years ago, France opted to recycle used nuclear fuel in order to recover nuclear material and thereby reduce the quantity of high level waste and the associated hazards.
Discover
All about radioactive waste in France
Managing radioactive and nuclear waste is a duty of responsibility towards future generations and an area where Orano has cutting-edge expertise.
Discover
Nuclear pools - a safe storage of spent fuel before recycling
After a few years of cooling in the pools of nuclear reactors, spent fuel is transported to the Orano la Hague plant
Discover
Plutonium : an incomparable energy power
For more than 50 years, the French nuclear industry has opted for recycling its nuclear fuel.
Discover
Recycled uranium for low-carbon electricity
While one of the major environmental challenges along with that of the climate is saving resources, the nuclear industry has been choosing to recycle nuclear materials for over 50 years now to save on natural resources and reduce the volume of final waste.
Discover
All about used fuel processing and recycling
The recycling of used nuclear fuel is a key area of expertise for Orano and a response to today's challenges.
Discover
Our podcasts about recycling and nuclear waste
More than 50 years ago, France made the choice to recycle spent fuel, increase the value of nuclear materials, and reduce the quantity and hazards of the most radioactive waste. Recyclable materials, uranium and plutonium, can be used to make new fuels that will in turn generate their own electricity. In France, 10% of nuclear-generated electricity comes from recycled materials.
Only 4% of nuclear materials from spent fuels are high-level long-lived waste. These are fission products. They are calcined and vitrified then poured into stainless steel containers. This safe conditioning, stable for several tens of thousands of years, is certified by 10 safety authorities in the world.