International Radioactive Waste Treatment Project Gets Underway

A programme for the transport, treatment and radiometric characterisation of approximately 230 cubic metres of radioactive waste from the Casaccia Centre has officially begun, in cooperation with INUTEC Ltd.

On 21 July 2026, a major project involving Protex Italia and INUTEC Ltd officially commenced. The project covers the transport, treatment and radiometric characterisation of radioactive waste originating from Nucleco’s storage facilities at the Casaccia Centre.

The activities follow the award of a public tender covering the transport of the materials to the United Kingdom, their treatment at INUTEC’s facility, the subsequent return to Italy of the resulting residues, and their radiometric characterisation.

The programme involves the management of approximately 230 cubic metres of low-level and very low-level radioactive waste.

The first operational phase involved the shipment of four containers holding a total of approximately 18 cubic metres of material.

A project built on specialist expertise

The programme brings together highly qualified operators and assigns clearly defined responsibilities across the different stages of the process.

Protex Italia is responsible for the operational and regulatory management of the transport activities and, once the residues return to Italy, will carry out the radiometric characterisation of the resulting ashes.

The international transport of the materials is being carried out by the specialist carrier TAM International LP, while INUTEC Ltd will perform the thermal treatment of the waste at its facility in the United Kingdom.

Following completion of the treatment process, Nucleco will manage the subsequent treatment, conditioning and safe storage of the residues at the Casaccia Centre.

An estimated volume reduction of approximately 95%

The thermal treatment process is expected to reduce the overall volume of the materials by approximately 95%.

Upon completion of the programme, approximately 11 cubic metres of ash are expected to be returned to Italy, compared with the approximately 230 cubic metres of waste initially transferred.

This substantial volume reduction is a key element of the project, as it will optimise the subsequent management, conditioning and storage of the residues, while ensuring compliance with the applicable technical and safety requirements.

Supporting the national management of radioactive waste

The project is of particular significance from a technical, operational and organisational perspective. It will also contribute to the continuity of the activities carried out by the National Integrated Service for the management of radioactive waste generated by the medical, healthcare, industrial and research sectors.

The commencement of the first shipment marks the outcome of a complex process involving extensive planning, coordination and regulatory authorisation, made possible through the close cooperation of all the organisations involved.

This important milestone further demonstrates Protex Italia’s specialist expertise in the management of complex activities involving radioactive materials, as well as the company’s ability to contribute to projects of both national and international relevance.

Protex Italia extends its thanks to all those who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to the planning, authorisation and implementation of the activities, as well as to the professionals at INUTEC Ltd, whose experience and technical expertise are essential to the successful delivery of the programme in accordance with the highest safety standards.