AREVA has been selected as one of the companies for an R and D framework contract by the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority for its Direct Research Portfolio (DRP).

As a key part of the NDA's strategic research programme, the DRP focuses on research for developing innovations across the NDA's multiple sites, cultivating technical expertise and supporting the NDA's strategy in nuclear decommissioning.

As one of the consortia selected for work in the area of spent fuels and nuclear materials, AREVA will be working closely with its preferred suppliers NSG Consultancy, as well as locally-based SME MDecon and Quintessa, in addition to the Universities of Liverpool and of Sheffield.

"Based on AREVA's extensive experience in managing decommissioning projects in both France and the UK, our company is uniquely positioned as a key supplier and partner to the country's nuclear industry," said Arnaud Gay, vice president of International Operations for AREVA's Back End Business Group.

"We will continue working with our UK supply chain, comprised primarily of SME's, to provide our in-depth knowledge of nuclear materials and spent fuels in order to further develop this expertise in the UK.''