“Aval du Futur” Project: Sustaining and Scale up Reprocessing and Recycling Solutions

Develop solutions that secure the future of the nuclear fuel cycle through flexible, modular and scalable industrial capabilities designed to meet the needs of current and future reactors in France and worldwide.
    • Ensure long-term management solutions for all current and future spent fuels, including MOX and Reprocessed Uranium (ERU) fuels
    • Further reduce dependence on natural uranium resources through enhanced recycling strategies that strengthen security of supply
    • Minimize waste volumes and facilitate the development of associated disposal solutions
    • Ensure continuity of the reprocessing and recycling of fuel from LWRs reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs)
    • Enable the development of AMRs and fast neutron reactors (FNRs) demonstrators operating with MOX fuel
    • Secure long-term continuity of spent fuel recycling services through the industrial renewal enabled by the “Aval du Futur” Project
    • Adapt recycling capacities to evolving customer needs through a flexible, modular and resilient industrial architecture supporting the evolution of nuclear fuel cycle throughout the 21st century
    • Strengthen fuel cycle resilience with next-generation infrastructure designed for long-term operation (80 years)
    • Enlarge LWR fuel reprocessing capabilities, including MOX and ERU, while taking into account evolving core-management requirements, including higher burnup levels
    • Ensure a reliable fuel supply, preserve natural uranium resources, and enhance energy security through a strategic secondary uranium resource
    • Reduce HL waste volumes and long-term radiotoxicity through advanced reprocessing and recycling processes
    • The reference industrial scheme currently includes:
      • an overall UOX fuel reprocessing capacity of approximately 1,200 tHM/year;
      • modular deployment through a first reprocessing unit of approximately 600 tHM/year expected to enter operation from 2050;
      • followed by a second module 10 years later
    • Enable the deployment of the first AMRs and Fast Neutron Reactors demonstrators, with dedicated capabilities options for MOX FNR fuel fabrication and reprocessing, while reserving space for future expansion modules to accommodate evolving market needs
    Secure long-term continuity of reprocessing recycling activities
    Scaling up recycling solution to support French and international market needs
    • Strategic long-term commitment, supported by the “Aval du Futur” (ADF) Project, a cornerstone of France's nuclear energy policy aimed at sustaining spent fuel reprocessing and recycling through 2100 and beyond, while progressively transitioning toward the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle in line with the French Nuclear Policy Council decisions of 2024, 2025 and 2026
    • Capability to support international market needs, particularly within OECD countries, thereby strengthening long-term industrial cooperation and strategic partnerships
    • Integrated spent fuel management infrastructure, including new unloading and wet storage facilities designed to support growing spent fuel inventories of future reactor fleets
    • Capability to recycle multiple fuel types, including UOX fuels as well as future recycled fuels such as MOX and ERU
    • Next-generation MOX and MOX-MR fuels fabrication plant, with a target capacity of up to 170 tHM/year to support expanded recycling strategies 
    • Optional advanced fuel capabilities, preparing the transition toward future fast reactor fuel cycles (~10-20 tHM/year for FNR-MOX fuel)
    • Compatibility with future reactor technologies, including LWRs, SMRs, AMRs and Fast Neutron Reactors 
    • Integration of digital technologies, robotics and advanced automation to improve performance, operability and long-term resilience
    • Enhanced environmental performance through reductions in electricity and water consumption, improved heat recovery, and optimized effluent management 
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    Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing & Recycling

  • "Aval du Futur" Project (Orano website) - Article in French