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Brazil and China sign agreement on radioisotope supply

Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.

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The Brazilian National Nuclear Energy Commission (Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear, CNEN) and China Isotope & Radiation Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at ensuring a stable supply of radioisotopes. The agreement was formalised during a side event at the 30th International Atomic Energy Agency Fusion Energy Conference held in Chengdu, China.

China Isotope & Radiation Corporation, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), will collaborate with CNEN on technical and commercial feasibility studies over an initial three-year period. The work will focus on sustainable business models that comply with Brazilian and Chinese regulations. No funds will be exchanged under the terms of this bilateral cooperation.

A focus on strategic isotopes

The agreement covers a range of strategic radioisotopes, including iodine-131, lutetium-177, molybdenum-99, cobalt-60, carbon-14 and iridium-192. These materials are used in medical treatments, industrial production and scientific applications. CNEN stated that the partnership’s primary objective is to ensure secure access to these inputs, which are essential for several economic and technological sectors.

The two institutions plan to deepen cooperation on logistics, processing and distribution of these materials, addressing increasing demand in both countries. Securing supply is seen as critical amid global access constraints to isotopes.

An agreement without funding, but high operational value

CNEN clarified that the memorandum does not include any financial transaction, but is based on a mutual commitment to jointly develop production and distribution capabilities. The goal is to optimise the operational autonomy of both parties while addressing rising domestic demand for isotopes used in hospitals, laboratories and industrial facilities.

This collaboration strengthens nuclear cooperation between Brazil and China beyond traditional energy applications. It forms part of a broader strategy to expand technological partnerships and pool resources in the field of non-energy nuclear applications.

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