Preparatory phase for a European production capability to secure a supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel

To reduce the risk of nuclear proliferation, EU Member States are strongly committed to the principle of minimisation of highly enriched uranium, with the objective of converting research reactors and radioisotope production targets to high-assay low-enriched (19.75%) uranium (HALEU).

HALEU is currently exclusively supplied from outside the EU, with Russia one of the main suppliers. Apart from its use in research reactors and for the production of radioisotopes, HALEU is also attracting interest in the development of fuel systems for advanced and innovative reactor systems, including small modular reactors, and nuclear-powered space exploration. With higher enrichment, longer fuel cycles become possible and fast reactor systems are more readily deployable.

In line with this political commitment, EU research reactors have been actively working towards this conversion as soon as technically and economically feasible. Several EU research reactors and radioisotope production facilities have already