France’s new nuclear firm pursuing SA research reactor deal

Newly created French nuclear company TechnicAtome plans to bid for South Africa’s planned new research reactor. The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) is planning a p rogramme to replace its current research reactor, SAFARI-1, which is now more than 50 years old. "We are absolutely interested in South Africa's new research reactor project," affirmed TechnicAtome Business Development Director Bruno Vidal. "A research reactor is a tool that can do many things. A research reactor can produce radioisotopes for medicine and for industry; it can be used for applied research and for pure research. We will offer a design optimised for Necsa's requirements, when Necsa issues those requirements.”