popular articles

Fessenheim: EDF faces scrutiny over nuclear recycling project

EDF's plan to build a facility for recycling low-level radioactive metals in Fessenheim is raising significant concerns over health, economics and regulation.

Please share:

The project led by Électricité de France (EDF) to establish a facility for recycling very low-level radioactive metals in Fessenheim, at the site of the former nuclear power station decommissioned in 2020, was at the centre of a public debate involving 2,675 participants between October 2024 and February 2025. This future “Technocentre”, intended to process materials from dismantled nuclear installations across France, has prompted extensive questioning, particularly around its social and health acceptability, according to the Commission nationale du débat public (CNDP).

Perceived risks linked to traceability and material use

The final report published by the CNDP highlights that concerns primarily focused on the use of recycled steel in everyday objects without any traceability. Several contributors, including the association Stop Fessenheim, opposed lifting the current French prohibition on the reuse of such metals. The report notes an “absence of certainty” regarding health effects from frequent contact, which some participants cited as reason enough to reject the use of these ingots.

EDF states that the radiological impact would be less than 0.01 millisievert (mSv) per year—300 times lower than the annual exposure from natural background radiation—justifying, in its view, the lack of traceability. This estimate is supported by the Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN), now merged into the Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection (ASNR), which associates it with a fatal cancer risk of fewer than one case per million people per year.

Questions over the project’s economic viability

Beyond health considerations, the economic feasibility of the facility has also been challenged. The €450mn investment, financed by EDF with the French State as its sole shareholder, was viewed by some participants as excessive, especially in light of existing steel production. One contributor pointed out that the 20,000 tonnes of steel expected to be produced would represent only 0.16% of France’s annual steel output.

The report urges EDF to clarify safety mechanisms in case of fire or explosion, as well as cumulative impacts concerning public health, environmental effects, and industrial risk. For the project to proceed, it will require a ministerial decree granting an exemption from public health regulations, along with a prefectural authorisation. A public inquiry is scheduled for 2025–2026.

An industrial first in France

If approved, the Fessenheim Technocentre would become the first facility of its kind in France. Elsewhere in Europe, the recycling of very low-level radioactive metals is already in practice in countries including Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain and Switzerland.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Thanks to recent strategic agreements, Utah is establishing itself as a key regional hub for the development and production of Small Modular Reactors, boosting a rapidly growing industry at the heart of the United States.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
The United States is multiplying energy agreements with Romania and Bulgaria, focusing on civil nuclear power and hydropower storage to deepen its influence in strategic regional projects.
U.S.-based Energy Fuels extracted 151,400 pounds of uranium in April, reaching an unprecedented level since the opening of its Pinyon Plain mine, while underground drilling reveals exceptionally high grades.
U.S.-based Energy Fuels extracted 151,400 pounds of uranium in April, reaching an unprecedented level since the opening of its Pinyon Plain mine, while underground drilling reveals exceptionally high grades.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.
The Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) will now publish its decisions and expert reports simultaneously, amid a controversial merger of nuclear oversight bodies.
The French Parliament has approved Bernard Fontana's appointment as CEO of EDF, paving the way for a new industrial phase in the nuclear sector under close scrutiny from public and industrial stakeholders.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe signed a new agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium to ensure the continuity of the development of Poland’s first nuclear power plant project.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe signed a new agreement with the Westinghouse-Bechtel consortium to ensure the continuity of the development of Poland’s first nuclear power plant project.
Two French MPs have raised concerns over the massive cost overruns of the Hinkley Point nuclear project, describing it as a “financial sinkhole” for EDF, now fully owned by the State.
Two French MPs have raised concerns over the massive cost overruns of the Hinkley Point nuclear project, describing it as a “financial sinkhole” for EDF, now fully owned by the State.
The Chinese State Council has just authorized the construction of ten new nuclear reactors across five strategic sites, highlighting a massive acceleration in energy ambitions to achieve record installed capacity by 2025.
The Chinese State Council has just authorized the construction of ten new nuclear reactors across five strategic sites, highlighting a massive acceleration in energy ambitions to achieve record installed capacity by 2025.
Axpo reconnected unit 1 of the Beznau nuclear power plant to the grid after two weeks of refuelling, marking the start of a new operating cycle for the Swiss facility.
The Czech competition regulator has dismissed EDF’s appeal, confirming the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for the construction of new nuclear capacity at Dukovany.
The Czech competition regulator has dismissed EDF’s appeal, confirming the selection of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power for the construction of new nuclear capacity at Dukovany.
Trondheimsleia Kjernekraft AS was founded to lead a nuclear plant project based on several small modular reactors in the Trøndelag region, targeting up to 1500 MWe of installed capacity.
Trondheimsleia Kjernekraft AS was founded to lead a nuclear plant project based on several small modular reactors in the Trøndelag region, targeting up to 1500 MWe of installed capacity.
Flamanville’s EPR nuclear reactor experienced a temporary shutdown on Friday and Saturday, without affecting its ramp-up schedule, EDF confirmed.
Flamanville’s EPR nuclear reactor experienced a temporary shutdown on Friday and Saturday, without affecting its ramp-up schedule, EDF confirmed.
Japanese operator Tepco has completed the extraction of a second radioactive debris sample from the damaged Fukushima reactor, a critical technical step in a decommissioning project set to span several decades.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
US-based enCore Energy continues to optimise its uranium project in Texas with a record installation rate and strengthened leadership team.
Framatome has commissioned a new facility in Romans-sur-Isère to secure long-term production of research reactor fuels and medical isotopes.
Framatome has commissioned a new facility in Romans-sur-Isère to secure long-term production of research reactor fuels and medical isotopes.
EDF reconnected the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor to the power grid on 19 April, two days ahead of schedule, following a series of technical maintenance works and adjustments on critical components.
EDF reconnected the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor to the power grid on 19 April, two days ahead of schedule, following a series of technical maintenance works and adjustments on critical components.
TerraPower has informed the UK regulator of its intention to submit the Natrium reactor design for evaluation under the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) process, the first step toward international deployment of this nuclear technology.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Framatome and Sizewell C have signed a contract for the supply, qualification, and pre-assembly of conventional instrumentation for the EPR reactors under construction at Sizewell, strengthening their collaboration on this large-scale project.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.
Uzbekistan has launched the construction of auxiliary buildings for its future modular nuclear reactor, the first export project for the Russian RITM-200N technology.
Holtec International has submitted its final proposal to Great British Nuclear as part of the competition to deploy several small modular reactors in the UK, joining GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR in the decisive phase.
Holtec International has submitted its final proposal to Great British Nuclear as part of the competition to deploy several small modular reactors in the UK, joining GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR in the decisive phase.
EDF announced on April 10 the extension of the shutdown of the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor, initially scheduled to restart on April 12, due to new maintenance operations within its nuclear zone.
The French National Assembly has launched a mission to analyse nuclear pricing and anticipate the effects of the 2026 tariff reform amid heightened tensions over energy costs.
The French National Assembly has launched a mission to analyse nuclear pricing and anticipate the effects of the 2026 tariff reform amid heightened tensions over energy costs.
GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR have submitted their final offer as part of the modular reactor selection process led by Great British Nuclear in the United Kingdom.
GE Hitachi and Rolls-Royce SMR have submitted their final offer as part of the modular reactor selection process led by Great British Nuclear in the United Kingdom.
Washington and Abu Dhabi pave the way for renewed civil nuclear cooperation, aiming to strengthen Emirati technological and energy capabilities within a complex regional strategic context.
Washington and Abu Dhabi pave the way for renewed civil nuclear cooperation, aiming to strengthen Emirati technological and energy capabilities within a complex regional strategic context.

Advertising