Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 18, Studsvik, a Swedish company, has entered into an agreement with the European Spallation Source (ESS), a research infrastructure project under construction in Lund, Sweden. Studsvik will oversee the management of radioactive waste generated by ESS, which is set to become the world’s leading accelerator-based neutron source for studying material properties upon its completion in 2028.

Under the agreement, Studsvik will develop and license two specialized facilities for handling radioactive waste. The first facility will utilize Studsvik’s patented inDRUM technology, designed to process and significantly reduce the volume of contaminated waste. The second facility will serve as an interim storage site, equipped with a pool for managing intermediate-level waste. The construction and operation of these facilities at Studsvik’s site will depend on further agreements to be finalized later.

Helmut Schober, Director General of ESS, stated: “Following the completion of feasibility studies, we have decided to move forward with Studsvik in developing inDRUM and the interim storage solution. Studsvik will thereby be a key partner for managing the waste generated at our facility. For example, the inDRUM technology can reduce the volume of certain types of waste by up to 90%. This not only reduces our future environmental impact but also our final disposal costs.”

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a multidisciplinary research facility being built near Lund, Sweden, with its data and software center located close to Copenhagen, Denmark. Once operational, ESS is expected to attract approximately 3,000 researchers annually to conduct advanced studies. The project is co-funded by 13 European countries, with Sweden and Denmark serving as the primary host nations.

This collaboration highlights a commitment to efficient and environmentally responsible waste management, ensuring that ESS’s operations align with sustainability goals while supporting cutting-edge scientific research.