Background and Motivation

The Critical EvAluation of fuel Management during and after MSR operation (CREAMM) is an activity of the NEA Expert Group on Fuel Recycling and Waste Technology (EGFRW). Its objective is to address key scientific and technical challenges related to the treatment and management of fuel in molten salt reactors (MSRs), both during operation and post-irradiation.

MSRs offer unique opportunities for flexible fuel cycles and enhanced resource utilisation. However, their liquid fuel form presents distinct challenges for fuel treatment, isotopic management and waste disposal. The CREAMM activity was officially launched in April 2025 to address these gaps and support future reactor design, licensing, and sustainability strategies.

Objectives and Scope

CREAMM focuses on four technical areas:

1. Terminology – Developing a common and consistent MSR fuel cycle terminology to improve communication and enable alignment between research, regulatory frameworks, and international collaboration, leveraging the findings of the Joint IAEA/NEA/EC-JRC Workshop on the Taxonomy and Related Terminology of Fuel Cycles for Molten Salt Reactors (scheduled for 3-7 November 2025)
2. Elements to remove from the fuel – Identifying which elements must be removed from MSR fuel, determining removal timing, and assessing impacts on reactor physics and fuel properties.
3. Separation Techniques – Evaluating available chemical separation methods, including electrochemical, volatility-based, and reductive extraction processes, and their suitability for MSR-specific fuel compositions.
4. Waste Treatment – Defining waste streams resulting from MSR operation and processing, and assessing appropriate waste form options to ensure safety and sustainability.

Collaboration and Integration

CREAMM engages experts from research institutes, industry, and international programmes, including the IAEA, the European Commission and EU-funded projects such as ENDURANCE. The work builds on established knowledge while avoiding duplication of existing efforts.

Deliverables and Impact

The activity will produce working papers for each technical area by 2027 and a comprehensive state-of-the-art report by 2028. The outcomes will support:

• Reactor designers and operators in planning MSR fuel management strategies;
• R&D organisations in identifying key research gaps;
• Regulators and waste management bodies in assessing licensing requirements and waste treatment pathways.