Fessenheim Technocentre: Seven Key Questions to Understand the Very Low-Level Radioactive Metals Recycling Project

EDF’s Technocentre project at Fessenheim aims to recycle very low-level radioactive metals resulting from the dismantling of nuclear installations. With the public meeting launching the debate on October 14, 2024, local stakeholders, citizens, and interested parties are invited to discover the challenges and benefits of this project, which will allow a sustainable reconversion of this site, where two reactors were shut down in 2020.

On Monday, October 14, the public opening meeting of the debate on the Technocentre project was held in Fessenheim. This meeting marks the beginning of a public debate that will run until February 7, 2025, allowing all citizens, local stakeholders, and interested parties to share their views on this unique project in France, led by EDF. The public debate is organized by the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) and is part of a transparency and consultation process. Ahead of the first meeting, titled “The Technocentre: What is it and what is it for?” here are some essential points from the project owner’s dossier.

What is the Fessenheim Technocentre Project?

The Technocentre project, led by EDF, aims to create an industrial facility in Fessenheim (Haut-Rhin) to recycle very low-level radioactive metals. These metals, resulting from the dismantling of nuclear installations, will be decontaminated as necessary—particularly for steam generators—and then recycled through a melting process. This process uses an electric arc furnace that heats the metals to around 1,650°C, a temperature that neutralizes impurities, both radioactive and non-radioactive, which are concentrated in the slag above the molten metal. This ensures that the produced ingots meet strict radiological protection standards and can be safely reused in conventional industry, contributing to the circular economy.

What are very low-level radioactive metals and how are they currently managed?

While French regulations previously classified waste as radioactive based on its place of origin rather than its radioactivity, a decree issued in February 2022 allows the recycling of metallic materials under certain conditions. Very low-level radioactive metals, or “very low-level activity” metals, come from the dismantling of EDF, Orano, and CEA nuclear installations. Their radioactivity can be close to natural background levels. “Approximately 500,000 tonnes of very low-level radioactive metals will be produced in the coming years,” says EDF. This very low level of radioactivity allows their recycling in other European countries like Sweden and the United Kingdom. In France, however, they are currently sent for permanent storage at the Cires center (managed by Andra).

Why build the Technocentre in Fessenheim?

Fessenheim was home to France’s oldest nuclear power plant, whose two reactors were permanently shut down in 2020 (Reactor 1 in February and Reactor 2 in June). The closure of these reactors marked the (painful) end of an era for political reasons, even though the two units were deemed safe. Today, the Technocentre industrial project offers the opportunity to recreate some of the jobs lost in the region, thanks to the availability of land and proximity to transport infrastructure (river and rail). EDF promises that its project is aligned with the local economic development plan.

What environmental benefits does the project offer?

The Technocentre contributes to the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of CO2 emissions. Recycling very low-level radioactive metals reduces energy consumption by 40% and greenhouse gas emissions by 60% compared to steel production through mining extraction. Moreover, by recycling very low-level radioactive metals, the Technocentre will save up to 450,000 m³ of storage capacity, or 70% of Cires’ total capacity at its commissioning.

How does the project address radioactive waste storage issues?

By recycling very low-level radioactive metals, the Technocentre significantly reduces the volume of waste to be stored. Out of 500,000 tonnes of very low-level radioactive metals identified in France, about 85% of the materials will be recycled into ingots, with only 15% (non-recyclable residues) being stored in Andra’s centers. This helps limit the need to create new storage capacities for nuclear waste.

How is health safety ensured in the industrial process?

The recycling process for very low-level radioactive metals includes strict controls at every stage to ensure health safety. Each metal is radiologically monitored before, during, and after melting, with complete traceability certified by ISO 9001. The produced ingots meet the standards defined in the Public Health Code, and their radioactivity is extremely low, ensuring their safe use in conventional industry. EDF also ensures that exposure to ionizing radiation is kept below regulatory limits.

What is the project timeline?

The project is currently in the public debate phase, running until February 2025. Preliminary studies have already begun, and construction of the Technocentre could start in 2027, with commissioning scheduled for 2031. This project, estimated at €450 million, will involve up to 300 people during the construction phase and will create 200 permanent direct jobs once operational.

Key Figures of the Technocentre Project
  • 500,000 tonnes of very low-level radioactive metals identified in France
  • 85% of these metals will be recycled into ingots
  • 15% of metals will be stored as non-recyclable residues
  • 450,000 m³ of storage space saved, or about 70% of Cires’ initial capacity
  • 200 permanent direct jobs created in Fessenheim, with significant economic impact on the region
  • €450 million: estimated project cost
  • 2031: planned commissioning date for the facility
Project Stakeholders

The Technocentre project involves several key players:

  • EDF: A major actor in the energy transition and project owner. EDF is also responsible for nuclear safety in France and aims to recycle metals from the dismantling of its nuclear installations through this project.
  • Cyclife: A subsidiary of the EDF Group specializing in radioactive waste management. Cyclife Sweden’s experience, where a similar process is used, will serve as the basis for implementing the Technocentre.
  • Andra: The National Agency for Radioactive Waste Management, which manages storage centers in France. A portion of the non-recyclable waste from the Technocentre will be directed to Andra’s storage centers.
  • Local authorities: The project is part of the economic redevelopment of the Fessenheim area, strongly supported by local authorities and regional economic partners, particularly through the territorial development project.
  • The public: Citizens are invited to actively participate in the public debate, organized by the CNDP, to express their views and concerns.
Learn More

All information, summary documents, and meeting schedules are available on the National Commission for Public Debate (CNDP) website. You can follow the debate and participate in online discussions.

You can also watch the Sfen webinar on the Fessenheim Technocentre with Olivier Giraud, Director of Waste Facility Projects, EDF Decommissioning and Waste Projects Division (DP2D), Jean-Michel Romary, Director of Decommissioning and Waste (Orano), and Laurence Piketty, Chair of Sfen’s Technical Section 12 (Decommissioning and Waste). ■

By Ludovic Dupin (Sfen)

Image: Activities at Cyclife Sweden site (EDF) – @Cyclife