Building indigenous capability for nuclear fuel fabrication in India

Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), an industrial unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India, was established in early 1970s to achieve self-reliance in the manufacture of fuel, zirconium alloy components and reactor core structurals for all the nuclear power plants in India. Since then, NFC has been continuously engaged in the production of these products for Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) operating in India, which form first stage of the nuclear power programme propounded by DAE. As part of second stage programme, DAE embarked on setting-up of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) for effective utilization of plutonium and reprocessed uranium from the first stage, and also for utilization of vast reserves of thorium. Towards this, NFC expanded its activities to manufacture and supply various stainless steel core sub-assemblies and thoria-based blanket sub-assemblies for Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), which was commissioned during the year 1985. In addition to these activities, over the years, NFC had set-up plants for the production of special materials and seamless tubes in various materials for nuclear, non-nuclear and strategic applications. NFC is a unique facility in the world, where all the above products are produced under one roof. NFC has been playing a vital role in the Indian nuclear power programme by manufacturing nuclear fuel assemblies and reactor core structurals for all the power reactors in India. Apart from carrying out several process innovations, NFC took up the challenge during embargo times for indigenization of critical process equipment with enormous success. Backed by three and half decades of rich experience, NFC looks forward to take a lead position in the manufacture of fuel assemblies and reactor core structurals for varieties of imported reactors