The contract with Magnox, which is managing decommissioning operations at ten of the UK’s first generation of nuclear power stations, covers the laundring of contaminated and non-contaminated clothing and respirators, decontamination of scaffolding and other materials and both the lease and laundry of personal protective equipment.
Magnox said that every year it sends around five million items for laundry or decontamination. "Bringing this work under one long-term contract with two suppliers gives the opportunity of delivering significant savings."
Steve Watson, Procurement Manager, said: "This is the first time the nuclear industry has grouped this type of work together in this way. There are lots of synergies in the areas of work and, by combining them under a single contract, we have been able to go to the market and secure diversification of the supply chain and increased value for our customer – the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) – and ultimately the UK taxpayer."
The contract will be placed as part of the NDA’s collaborative procurement programme and the services will be available to other organisations in the NDA estate.
