Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 4, Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Argentina’s Invap outlining the framework for negotiations on the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement for the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB). The signing took place during the 69th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna.

The document sets the basis for the development of the technology complex that will host the RMB, including its laboratories, operational infrastructure, and logistical support facilities. CNEN has identified the project as a priority for the national nuclear sector. The plan is to begin construction in 2026, with completion expected in 2030 and operations scheduled for 2031.

The project has been in preparation since 2008, and earlier this year, a ceremony was held to mark the start of initial infrastructure works. Once completed, the reactor will serve multiple purposes, most notably in healthcare, ensuring Brazil’s self-sufficiency in producing critical radioisotopes such as molybdenum-99 used in medical diagnostics and treatment. The RMB will also support advances in the testing and development of nuclear fuels and materials, promote scientific research and innovation through the application of neutron beams, and bring benefits to industry and agriculture.

The RMB shares similarities with Argentina’s RA-10 multipurpose reactor, a 30 MWt open-pool research reactor currently under construction and expected to enter operation soon. In 2013, Invap signed an agreement to build two reactors, one in Argentina and one in Brazil, based on the Open Pool Australian Light-water (Opal) reactor design, which Invap earlier supplied to the Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation. At the time, it was projected that the two new facilities could together provide up to 40% of global isotope supply capacity.

The proposed RMB facility will occupy a two million square metre site that may also include laboratories dedicated to nuclear fusion research, particle accelerators, and radiopharmaceutical development and production. The project is estimated to cost around USD 500 million, with a planned construction timeline of five years.

According to CNEN, the reactor will not only enhance healthcare infrastructure but also strengthen Brazil’s position in scientific and technological research, with broader benefits across multiple sectors. The collaboration with Invap reflects the continuation of long-standing cooperation between the two countries in nuclear science and technology.

The RMB project underscores Brazil’s commitment to building advanced nuclear infrastructure that addresses medical needs, fosters innovation, and supports industrial and agricultural applications. By expanding domestic production capacity, the reactor is expected to contribute to both national development and international scientific collaboration.