R and D at ROBATEL Industries - New materials for nuclear safety

ROBATEL is a major actor in the French Nuclear Industry since the 1950s, with a clear focus on international development as a driver of new growth for the group. It is present in France with four ROBATEL Industries sites (Genas, La Hague, Cadarache, Marcoule) and in the USA with Robatel Technologies (Roanoke, VA). ROBATEL develops, licenses, manufactures and maintains transportation and storage casks for radioactive wastes/sources, spent fuels; LLW, ILW and HLW. We also provide custom design and fabrication of equipped Glove Boxes, Hot Cells, Shield Doors and Hatches for the nuclear industry and nuclear medicine. To provide the most reliable products, ROBATEL develop specific materials to ensure nuclear safety. Neutron shielding materials have been a long tradition at ROBATEL with trademark like PNT7™ for neutron shielding concrete or Compound 22™ for polymer based shielding. Thanks to its internal R and D program and collaboration with the European Center for Ceramic, new generation shielding materials are being developed with improved neutron shielding and temperature range of use. ROBATEL Industries R and D program is also active in the mechanical and fire protection, with the FENOSOL foam, a fire-proof, shock-absorbing foam for nuclear applications. The following article will present the R and D program currently held at ROBATEL Industry, with a focus on the safety materials. (author)