WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
In simplified terms, the research landscape in the field of radioactive waste management is divided into project-related and non-project-related research. The former is covered by our parent company, the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE), as well as by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and partly by the Nuclear Waste Disposal Fund. Project-independent research is mainly funded by core funding from major institutions in this field, such as the Helmholtz Association, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), or by funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). Unlike the BGE, however, we are involved in national project-independent research projects of the BMWi. The knowledge thus gained can be directly applied to national repository projects. At the same time, our close collaboration with the project-responsible BGE ensures that research institutions are kept informed about the requirements of repository projects in Germany and can incorporate these into their future activities.
We are closely involved in the repository projects of the BGE, particularly concerning issues related to rock mechanics, backfilling, and sealing materials. This includes, in particular, consulting services and computational demonstrations of the stability of mine workings in the repository mines, as well as the development of construction materials for backfilling and sealing measures. Knowledge exchange with experts worldwide and participation in international organizations such as the IAEA and the OECD/NEA enable us to stay up to date on the latest developments in radioactive waste management programs. This, along with our involvement in international repository projects, makes us the primary contact in Germany for the international status of radioactive waste management.
This enables us to evaluate and share solutions implemented in other countries that differ from those chosen in Germany, ensuring that our parent company can always consider the international state of the art in science and technology.
Some of the main activities of the international organisations IAEA and OECD/NEA in the field of radioactive waste management (RWM) include promoting knowledge transfer from countries with advanced RWM programs to those just beginning to implement such programs, publishing guidelines on radioactive waste management, and summarising developments in this field within individual countries. Given the scope of Germany’s nuclear programme, our long-term experience is highly valued by these two organisations.
Throughout the world, we are recognised as a trustworthy and reliable partner and contractor. This is primarily due to our extensive expertise in radioactive waste management, which stems from our direct involvement in implementing national repository projects, participation in independent research projects, and long-standing support of relevant RWM activities globally.
Of particular significance is the fact that the predecessor organisations of BGE and BGE TEC have been commissioned with the design, construction, operation, and closure of repositories since 1979 and 2000, respectively. The experience gained has been applied to international repository projects and adapted to meet the specific requirements of other repository programmes. This enables us to develop solutions for our customers and partners that focus on the safe disposal of radioactive waste, regardless of its origin – for both present and future generations. Our independence in finding optimal solutions for our customers is ensured by the fact that we operate without core financing from BGE.
Due to our high standards of quality, we have globally established ourselves as a competent and reliable partner, fostering close relationships.
Nuclear technologies are applied in a range of fields – from the food industry to medical applications to materials engineering or power generation. Furthermore, radioactive materials can be a by-product of various mining activities, such as oil and gas extraction or the mining of rare-earth metals. The focus is often on the use of the technologies and resources and less often on the disposal of the radioactive waste. Our concern is the safe disposal of this waste – regardless of economic interests. With our services, we want to make our contribution to making the world a safer place for present and future generations. To this end, we make BGE’s and our expertise and experience available to our partners.
Thanks to the expertise we have gained in national and international repository projects and the exchange with experts all over the world, we are an internationally recognised counterpart for the disposal of radioactive waste. Our aim is not only to maintain but to even strengthen this position. Our corporate independence from BGE guarantees that their funds are used exclusively for the purposes of the national waste management programme, whereas our solutions are free from economic or political interests. They are developed exclusively based on our expertise. Our guiding principle is always to carry out our work to the highest quality and in the interests of our customers and partners. In addition, we want to ensure that the waste product generated are handled in a responsible way.