Framatome’s Richland fuel manufacturing facility celebrates 50 years of excellence
September 18 2019 - 8:00AM
Framatome’s Richland nuclear fuel manufacturing facility, one of
the most technologically advanced and flexible fuel fabrication
facilities in the world, celebrates its 50th anniversary.
The Richland facility has an industry-leading safety record,
recognized by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as
having ‘no area needing improvement’ during its biennial Licensee
Performance Review (LPR). The facility has maintained that standing
for 12 consecutive years. The Richland site also received the
industry’s first 40-year fuel fabrication license renewal from the
NRC in 2009.
“The longevity of the Richland facility illustrates our
employees’ commitment to innovation and excellence, year after
year,” said Lionel Gaiffe, senior executive vice president of the
Fuel Business Unit at Framatome. “Framatome’s continued investment
in this facility demonstrates our view that the fuel and products
developed at the Richland site are key to the future of nuclear
energy.”
Over its lifetime, the Richland fuel manufacturing facility has
shipped more than 66,000 fuel assemblies to the nuclear fleet
throughout the world. Today, the facility has nearly 550 employees
focused on providing fuel, fuel-related products and services to
all nuclear reactor types.
Recent upgrades to the facility have positioned Framatome to
deliver its most advanced fuel products for pressurized water
reactors (GAIA) and boiling water reactors (ATRIUM™11). The
facility is a leader in manufacturing fuel designs with Framatome’s
PROtect enhanced accident tolerant fuel (EATF) technologies. This
year, the facility shipped its first two EATF products to U.S.
customers.
The site also serves as the dedicated manufacturing facility for
Lightbridge FuelTM through Enfission LLC, a 50-50 joint venture
company between Framatome and Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ:
LTBR).
As part of Framatome’s continuing investment in its facilities,
the Richland site will open the doors to its newest building later
this year, a scrap uranium recovery facility (SURF). The 11,000
square foot facility will be used to extract and recover uranium
from feed streams containing non-uranium contaminants such as
gadolinium, further modernizing the site’s capabilities.
“We are proud of the great history at our Richland facility, and
plan to be here for another 50 years,” said Richland Site Manager
Ron Land. “This milestone is a result of our employees’ expertise
and dedication to operational excellence.”
About Framatome
Framatome is an international leader in nuclear energy
recognized for its innovative solutions and value added
technologies for the global nuclear fleet. With worldwide expertise
and a proven track record for reliability and performance, the
company designs, services and installs components, fuel, and
instrumentation and control systems for nuclear power plants. Its
more than 14,000 employees work every day to help Framatome’s
customers supply ever cleaner, safer and more economical low-carbon
energy. Visit us at www.framatome.com, and follow us on Twitter:
@Framatome_ and LinkedIn: Framatome. Framatome is owned by the EDF
Group (75.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI – 19.5%) and
Assystem (5%).
CONTACTS
press@framatome.com
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