The NEA Working Party on Scientific Issues of Advanced Fuel Cycles (WPFC) held its 24th annual meeting on 17-19 June 2026 in Paris, France. The meeting brought together experts from NEA member countries, international organisations, research institutions and industry to exchange scientific and technical developments related to advanced nuclear fuel cycles.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members to review progress across the WPFC Expert Groups (Expert Group on Advanced Fuel Cycle Scenarios (EGAFCS), Expert Group on Fuel Recycling and Waste Technology (EGFRW), Expert Group on Innovative Fuel Elements (EGIFE), and Expert Group on Reactor Coolants/Components Technology (EGCoCoT)), to exchange updates on national and international advanced fuel cycle initiatives, and to discuss ongoing activities supporting advanced fuel cycle research and development. Participants also revisited priorities of the WPFC, helping to identify opportunities for continued international collaboration on scientific and technical challenges associated with the deployment of advanced fuel cycles and reactor systems.
Furthermore, as part of the evolution of the WPFC meeting format, the meeting also featured the “Second WPFC Workshop". Introduced in response to growing member interest in fuel cycle considerations, especially for advanced nuclear energy systems, these workshops provide an opportunity for deeper and wider stakeholder involvement including industry and international safeguards. Focusing on key strategic and scientific interests of the WPFC, this year’s workshop addressed developments in fuel cycle strategies, supply chain resilience, advanced reactor deployment, and the role of fuel cycle technologies in supporting long-term nuclear energy growth.
Highlights of the WPFC Workshop included:
- Discussions on fuel cycle scenarios and the implications of different fuel cycle strategies as countries consider pathways to significantly expand nuclear energy capacity over the coming decades.
- Presentations on national approaches to fuel cycle closure, highlighting ongoing developments in recycling technologies, partitioning and transmutation (P&T), waste management strategies and supporting fuel cycle infrastructure.
- Exchanges on challenges and opportunities associated with advanced reactor deployment, including fuel supply chain considerations, fuel qualification needs and developments in both oxide- and metal-fuels for fast reactor technologies.
- Perspectives on non-proliferation, safeguards and governance considerations associated with advanced fuel cycles, reflecting the growing international nature of future fuel cycle systems and supply chains.
- Updates on the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC) Task Force on Demonstration of Fuel Cycle Closure including Partitioning and Transmutation for Industrial Readiness by 2050 (TF-FCPT), with discussions focused on pathways towards industrial readiness and future NEA-led collaborative activities.
- Updates from international organisations on activities supporting advanced fuel cycles, including initiatives related to fuel supply chains, advanced reactor deployment and research co-ordination across the global nuclear community.
Through its expert groups, workshops and technical activities, the WPFC continues to support international collaboration, identify research needs and contribute to the development of sustainable fuel cycle solutions for future nuclear energy systems. Additional information about the WPFC’s activities is available on the WPFC page.
