NUKEM Technologies Engages in International Conference on Spent Fuel Management

NUKEM Technologies at the IAEA International Technical Meeting

From July 7 to 11, 2025, NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH, based in Karlstein, Germany, participated in a landmark international technical meeting organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) titled "Technical Meeting on the Management of Spent Fuel (Pebbles and Compacts) from High Temperature Reactors." The event took place at the Vienna International Center (VIC).

Focus of the Conference

The conference primarily focused on the management of spent fuel from High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTRs) and the development of fuel cycles tailored for the next-generation Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). NUKEM appointed three key experts to represent the company at this significant event:

- Dr. Marina Sokcic-Kostic (Lead Engineer)
- Christopher Reiser (Senior Physicist)
- Nobuaki Ninomiya (Executive Officer and Managing Director)

Among the presentations, Dr. Sokcic-Kostic's talk titled "Facilitating SMR Fuel Fabrication from HALEU UF₆" attracted considerable attention. In her presentation, she outlined routes for applying High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) recycling to various SMR designs, providing insights into fabrication approaches for light water reactors, molten salt reactors, fast reactors, and TRISO fuel for HTRs.

Engaging Discussions

Furthermore, the conference facilitated an engaging exchange of ideas on numerous technical and policy-related topics, including fuel characteristics, waste generation, graphite management, regulatory compliance, and final disposal strategies. Experts from various nations contributed actively to the discussions, with the outcomes of the meetings set to be documented in an IAEA technical report.

Insights from NUKEM's Leadership

Commenting on the event, Nobuaki Ninomiya stated, "It was a great honor to represent Germany and Japan at the IAEA technical meeting on spent fuel management for High Temperature Gas Reactors. I was particularly impressed by Dr. Sokcic-Kostic’s presentation on the latest developments in HALEU fuel fabrication, which highlighted the progress being made in international cooperation. NUKEM is committed to advancing knowledge and partnerships in this critical field."

NUKEM’s Commitment to Global Collaboration

Through active participation in international technical discussions, NUKEM aims to contribute to the sustainable development of global fuel cycles and nuclear safety. The company has been at the forefront of the radioactive waste and spent fuel management sectors for over 60 years, providing cutting-edge technologies and high-quality solutions. Leveraging years of extensive experience, NUKEM has supported numerous nuclear projects worldwide and has ensured safe and efficient waste management and decommissioning services.

About NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH

- Headquarters: Zeche Gustav 6, 63791 Karlstein am Main, Germany
- President: Thomas Seipolt
- Year Established: 1960
- Website: NUKEM Technologies
- Business Focus: Management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, nuclear engineering, and consulting services.

About Muroo Systems Co., Ltd.

Muroo Systems Co., Ltd. is a Japanese IT firm founded in 2006, focusing on IT solutions centered around decentralized computing power centers. The company also emphasizes renewable energy-based power development projects, aiming for growth in environmental technology. As a 100% parent company of NUKEM Technologies, it promotes the integration of nuclear technology and IT to enhance competitiveness in the global market.

- Headquarters: 4F Takako Building, 4-15-1 Nihonbashi Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- President: Tan Uchinobu
- Year Established: 2006
- Website: Muroo Systems
- Business Focus: IT solutions and renewable energy-related projects.