Ad hoc Expert Group on the Management of Recycled Fissile Materials

Extensive experience has been accumulated in some NEA member countries of the use of certain recycled fissile materials. Other countries are considering recycling as an option for better resource utilisation and waste management. At the moment a large proportion of the fissile materials from reprocessing are stored and are often considered as strategic stockpiles.

This expert group assessed the advantages and drawbacks of alternative options for recycling fissile materials such as plutonium, uranium from reprocessing (RepU) and depleted uranium (DepU), in order to identify strategic aspects relevant for policy makers. The disposal of these materials was studied as one alternative option.

The project addressed inter alia, the following issues:

  • building an inventory of Pu, RepU and DepU;
  • the impacts on the security of supply;
  • technical and safety limitations of recycling fissile materials in current reactors;
  • time scales;
  • investment, R&D needs and economic considerations.

A report for policy makers was published in 2007.

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Last updated: 6 May 2014