Areva said it had signed a memorandum of agreement with Urenco to work together on centrifuge development. Cooperation would include design and construction of centrifuges as well as R&D, in a 50:50 joint venture.
A final agreement on the joint venture is expected soon. The decision by Areva to invest in centrifuge technology marks the end of a long investment in enrichment by gaseous diffusion. Cogema and Urenco will continue to compete in producing and marketing enriched uranium.
