Italy begins re-encapsulating uranium-thorium fuel in nuclear decommissioning push

Societa Gestione Impianti Nucleari SpA (Sogin) has started re-encapsulating 64 uranium-thorium fuel elements at the Itrec facility in Rotondella, Italy. This marks a key step in the 'dry storage' process for the fuel, which originally came from the Elk River experimental reactor in Minnesota, USA. The re-encapsulation involves transferring the fuel elements into new capsules. These will then be stored in special casks, with all operations taking place underwater in the fuel storage pool for radiation shielding. The process is expected to finish by mid-2027.

Sogin has also awarded a €43 million contract to a consortium for building the Finished Product Cementation Plant at the Itrec site. This facility, known as ICPF, will handle the cementation of about 3 cubic metres of liquid uranium-thorium solution, referred to as the 'final product'. The re-encapsulation will secure the fuel elements in new, safer storage. The ICPF facility will further process liquid waste into a stable form. Both projects advance Italy’s nuclear decommissioning efforts.