Nuclear engineering and services
VRAC-MI Project: Recovery of Historical Waste in Cadarache
At the CEA Center in Cadarache, the consortium consisting of Onet Technologies (lead contractor), Razel-Bec, and the Roumeas Group is carrying out LOT 1 of the VRAC-MI project—namely, all preparatory work—contributing to the construction of the future facility dedicated to the recovery and conditioning of moderately irradiated waste. This is a long-term project (8 years) that draws on complementary areas of expertise, including project management, decommissioning, civil engineering, and nuclear ventilation.
Preparatory work essential to the project's success
The VRAC-MI project aims to eventually enable the retrieval, sorting, and repackaging of medium-level radioactive waste stored in the INB 56 pits at the CEA Cadarache Center so that it can be directed to the appropriate disposal pathways: final disposal by ANDRA or interim storage at the CEDRA facility located at the Center.
The consortium led by Onet Technologies is carrying out the preparatory work necessary for the construction of the future industrial facility that will house these operations. This first phase includes, in particular, the installation of a new ventilation system, the demolition of several existing buildings, the removal of infrastructure, and the preparation of the sites where the future foundations will be laid.
As part of this project, Onet Technologies is overseeing the decommissioning operations, some of the asbestos removal work, and the installation of the new nuclear ventilation system. Razel-Bec is responsible for civil engineering work, including deep foundations, concrete structures, and certain deconstruction operations, while the Roumeas Group is carrying out demolition work, part of the asbestos removal work, earthwork, and the site preparation required to set up the construction site. The complementary nature of these areas of expertise ensures effective coordination of the project’s various technical interfaces.
A construction project that has entered its operational phase
Following a design phase that began in 2023, the project has now fully entered its construction phase. With earthwork and site preparation complete, deep foundation and civil engineering work is now underway to prepare the site for this future facility. At the same time, the ventilation equipment is currently being manufactured ahead of its on-site installation, scheduled for 2027.
The next steps will continue through 2031 with the commissioning of the new ventilation system, the demolition of two buildings, and then the final site preparation work prior to the construction of the future VRAC-MI facility.
Through this project, Onet Technologies and its partners are once again demonstrating their ability to support major players in the nuclear industry in their decommissioning, remediation, and waste management projects by providing technical solutions tailored to their specific challenges.
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Nuclear engineering and services
Nuclear engineering and services
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