EDF and Framatome have announced the launch of a feasibility study aimed at producing cobalt-60 for medical applications in one of EDF’s nuclear reactors.
Co-60 is used to sterilise medical devices and is also used in cancer treatment. Most of the world’s supply of the isotope is produced by irradiation of naturally occurring cobalt-59 in Candu reactors, mainly in Canada but also in Argentina, China and South Korea. It is also produced in RBMK reactors and the BN-800 fast neutron reactor in Russia.
Under an agreement signed last week during the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris, EDF and Framatome plan to insert capsules containing cobalt-59 in a pressurised water reactor (PWR) in France. This process will not affect the reactor’s operation or its primary function. Framatome will manufacture the specialised irradiation devices at its European facilities.
A first loading of demonstration capsules is scheduled for 2026, with the goal of validating technical feasibility before 2030.
A Co-60 source in use at a sterilisation facility (Image: Framatome)
“This initiative reflects the commitment of EDF and Framatome to foster innovation, contribute actively to public health, and address the growing demand for cobalt-60 in Europe while ensuring highest standards of safety and quality,” the companies said in a joint statement.
“The production of cobalt-60 demonstrates the versatility of our nuclear reactors, which, beyond their primary role in generating low-carbon electricity, can also provide irradiation services,” said Cédric Lewandowski, EDF Group Senior Executive Vice President with responsibility for the Nuclear and Thermal Generation Division. “By supporting the sterilisation of medical devices, we reaffirm our fleet’s ongoing commitment to serving the public interest.”
“We are pleased to launch this study in collaboration with EDF, and proud to contribute to strengthening Europe’s medical sovereignty,” added Grégoire Ponchon, CEO of Framatome.
“Diversified, reliable, and sustainable supply chains are essential to meet the growing needs of the healthcare sector,” said François Gauché, Vice President of Framatome Healthcare. “Through this study, Framatome Healthcare will enhance its contribution to the sterilisation of medical equipment and cancer treatment.”
Framatome established Framatome Healthcare in July 2021 to build on its nuclear energy expertise and long-standing commitment in the field of nuclear medicine to advance medical products and services for the healthcare industry. Framatome is owned by the EDF Group (75.5%), Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (19.5%) and Assystem (5%).
In December 2021, Framatome signed a memorandum of understanding with US utility Exelon Generation to cooperate on technology development and assess the feasibility and economics of Co-60 production in PWR reactors for industrial and medical purposes as long-term demand continues to grow. Earlier in 2021, Westinghouse and EDF signed an MoU on the production of Co-60 in selected PWRs owned and operated by EDF in France.