The future fuel cycle

Sustainability is a major driver of France nuclear strategy, among which fuel cycle policy plays a major role. France nuclear fuel cycle strategy is based on the recycling of spent fuel in order to save energy resources and to offer a better management of nuclear wastes. This relies on decades' feedback experience. Closing the uranium plutonium fuel cycle, in a recurrent way, in fast neutron reactors is one of the keys to sustainable nuclear energy, by preventing the accumulation of sensitive materials, preserving natural resources - by more than a factor 100 - and limiting the ultimate waste volume. Management options for the future fuel cycle are also being investigated in an approach consistent with studies for the Astrid 4. generation sodium cooled fast reactor project. The goal is to prepare all the options for the management of nuclear materials in the fleets of fast reactors, by developing the most advanced processes. (author)