Medicine: EDF and Framatome Seek Their Place in Cobalt-60 Production

During the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), held from 4 to 6 November 2025, EDF and Framatome announced the launch of a feasibility study to produce cobalt-60 — an element widely used in the medical sector — in one of the nuclear reactors currently in operation.

Traditionally, cobalt-60 is produced through gamma irradiation of cobalt-59 in Candu-type reactors (heavy-water reactors), mainly in Canada but also in Argentina, China and South Korea. The new agreement signed between the two French companies aims to compete in this market by producing the isotope in a French pressurised water reactor (PWR). The operation has no impact on reactor performance and does not interfere with its primary function of electricity generation.
“In contributing to the sterilisation of medical devices, we reaffirm the ongoing commitment of our reactor fleet in service of the public interest,” said Cédric Lewandowski, EDF Group Executive Director for Nuclear and Thermal Generation.

Artificial isotope

Cobalt-59 is the only stable isotope of this element occurring naturally as a metal in the Earth’s crust. Cobalt-60, however, is created artificially through neutron activation — meaning that cobalt-59 absorbs a neutron, thanks to the neutron flux in a reactor, becoming radioactive.

The joint study between EDF and Framatome therefore envisages inserting capsules containing cobalt-59 into a French nuclear reactor. The selected unit has not yet been disclosed. Framatome will manufacture the capsules in its European facilities. A first loading of demonstration capsules is planned for 2026, with the aim of confirming technical feasibility before 2030.

Medical applications

Cobalt-60 is unstable (half-life of 5.27 years) and decays into nickel-60, emitting strong gamma radiation during its beta-minus decay. This radiation is used in medicine to sterilise medical equipment (gloves, syringes, implants, etc.).
The radioisotope is also used in brachytherapy, a form of radiotherapy in which the radioactive source is placed in direct contact with the tumour, enabling effective treatment thanks to a high local dose while minimising exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. This technique is used in particular for the treatment of gynaecological cancers, prostate cancer and breast cancer.

A growing sector

This new initiative is part of the momentum initiated by Framatome when it launched its “Framatome Healthcare” division in July 2021.
“Diversified, reliable and sustainable supply chains are essential to meet the growing needs of the healthcare sector,” notes François Gauché, Vice President of Framatome Healthcare.

The sector is booming, with numerous partnerships emerging in recent years. Earlier in 2021, EDF and Westinghouse had already signed a memorandum of understanding for producing cobalt-60 in French reactors. In December of the same year, another partnership was signed between Framatome and Exelon Generation, this time targeting US PWRs. ■