Orano launches new nuclear packaging plant in cherbourg

Orano has inaugurated its new, fully automated manufacturing plant in Cherbourg, dedicated to producing its innovative “TN Eagle” packaging for the transport and dry storage of spent nuclear fuel.

2024 is undeniably a landmark year for Orano’s new infrastructure. Earlier this month, the company began construction on an extension of its Georges Besse II enrichment plant. Following that, on 17 October, Orano officially opened its new spent fuel packaging manufacturing plant at the Port of Cherbourg. Named the “TN Eagle Factory,” this 4.0 manufacturing facility will focus on assembling the next generation of packaging. Spanning 6,600 m², construction started in February 2023, with support from the France Relance investment fund. Once fully operational, the plant will be able to produce up to 30 “TN Eagle” packages annually.

A 4.0 Plant for Advanced Packaging

“The TN Eagle is a packaging model that enables the transport and dry storage of spent fuel from nuclear plants (primarily in Europe, the United States, and Asia). With its innovative design and modular structure, this 5-metre-long, 3-metre-wide, 150-tonne container meets the needs of nuclear plant operators while enhancing safety and competitiveness,” Orano states in a press release. This new packaging was approved by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) in 2020 and by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2023. Furthermore, Orano confirms that the TN Eagle has already attracted interest, with orders from French and international clients.

Beyond the innovative nature of the packaging itself, the manufacturing plant is also cutting-edge. It represents a significant technological leap from standard factories, enabling the assembly of packaging in 15 months, compared to over 40 months on average for previous generations. This improvement is made possible through complete automation and the design of the packaging itself, which features “up to ten times fewer components than similar packaging, zero welding, and exceptional modularity.” These characteristics ensure greater robustness than previous models.

On LinkedIn, Nicolas Maes, CEO of Orano, explained, “The TN Eagle: designed and sized to meet the highest safety standards, it enables the transport and dry storage of spent nuclear fuel for our French, European, and international clients.” Meanwhile, Frédéric de Agostini, Director of Orano’s Nuclear Packaging and Services activities, congratulated his teams “who managed to design a new package and commission a technologically advanced factory in just six years, contributing to a safer, more reliable, and more competitive manufacturing process.”