atw - International Journal for Nuclear Power | 05.2021

atw Vol. 66 (2021) | Issue 5 ı September
34
SITE SPOTLIGHT
Nuclear Expertise for Germany –
Indispensable Even After
the German Nuclear Phase-out
Spotlight on Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (Framatome)
Framatome
For more than 60 years, Framatome’s professionals have
specialised in the design and construction of nuclear
power plants, the supply of steam generator systems,
the design and construction of components and fuel
assemblies, the integration of automation technology
and service for all types of nuclear reactors. Worldwide,
about 14,000 employees work for Framatome and its
subsidiaries, such as ANF.
The site near Hanau is a competence center for spacer
production for Framatome worldwide. ANF, with its
approximately 420 employees, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Framatome GmbH (Erlangen). Specialist
departments within the group of companies are
responsible for the development and design of the
fuel assemblies manufactured at ANF. The close
exchange between the divisions ensures the feedback
of experience and the continuous further development
of the products.
Framatome in Germany
Framatome in Germany with its subsidiary ANF bundle –
especially at the Erlangen, Lingen and Karlstein
sites – comprehensive engineering and manufacturing
capacities and are thus important know-how carriers
for German industry.
The company offers knowledge and experience across
the entire nuclear value chain. With its safety-oriented
technologies for several nuclear power plant types and
models (PWR, BWR, VVER, EPR), the competence
network has always made an important contribution
to the global industry.
Employees: > 3,000
Turnover: > 700 M€
Export share: > 85 %
Locations: Erlangen
Lingen
Karlstein
Framatome in Lingen
(Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH)
Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF), based in Lingen,
manufactures boiling water reactor and pressurised
water reactor fuel assemblies for the European market.
The site also offers special products, manufacturing
technology and consulting services for fuel element
manufacturers worldwide. In addition to the
plant in Lingen, ANF also has a component production
facility in Karlstein (Main).
In order to be able to manufacture fuel rods and fuel
elements, the Lingen plant needs cladding tubes and
components such as lower and upper tie plates as well
as spacers. These metallic components are manufactured
both in Germany – at the Karlstein plant – and
in Framatome’s international manu facturing network.
At the same time, the Lingen plant supplies uranium
powder and fuel rods to sister companies abroad. This
allows a flexible response to customer requirements
and synergies in research and development can be
exploited.
The Lingen fuel element plant is licensed to process up
to 650 tonnes of uranium per year in the form of fuel
elements. In addition, up to 800 tonnes of uranium per
year of conversion services may be provided. Since the
start of operation in 1979, 38,000 fuel elements with
more than 6.8 million fuel rods have left the Lingen
plant. The last fuel assemblies for the German market
were delivered in December 2020.
As a result of the German phase-out of nuclear power
generation, the site has received orders for the
reconstruction and dismantling of fuel assemblies that
have not yet been used, thus contributing to nuclear
fuel freedom in decommissioned German nuclear
power plants. Special competences in the development
and construction of manufacturing technologies form
another mainstay and ensure high manu facturing
quality and thus safety in nuclear power plants outside
Germany as well. ANF provides training and further
education for experts in radiation protection, fissile
material monitoring and other nuclear technology
personnel. This is knowledge and expertise that will still
be needed in Germany after 2022.
Site Spotlight
Nuclear Expertise for Germany – Indispensable Even After the German Nuclear Phase-out