The European Commission has approved French nuclear group Areva and Anglo-German-Dutch outfit Urenco launching a €3 billion joint venture where Areva acquires joint control over Urenco’s Enrichment Technology Company (ETC).
ETC develops and manufactures centrifuges for uranium enrichment and Areva plans to use the technology in a replacement plant for the Georges-Besse gaseous diffusion plant.
Brussels’ fears of reduced competition were eased after Areva and Urenco promised to act independently, notably over future capacity decisions, and the Euratom Supply Agency pledged to increase its monitoring capacity.
