Studsvik and ReNu Collaborate to Deploy inDRUM Waste Treatment Technology at Fukushima

Swedish company Studsvik has partnered with Japanese firm ReNu Industries to adapt and deploy the innovative inDRUM pyrolysis technology for radioactive waste management at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This collaboration aims to significantly reduce the volume and hazardous nature of radioactive waste arising from the 2011 disaster, with a pilot facility scheduled for completion by March 2029.

The inDRUM process operates by heating waste placed inside a sealed steel drum under nitrogen atmosphere, which reduces the volume by up to 90% for certain waste types such as spent ion exchange resins. This pyrolysis technology transforms mixed low- and medium-level radioactive wastes into stable, dry ash or sludge, which facilitates safer transport and storage. Importantly, the process can treat mixed waste without prior sorting, simplifying operations and improving efficiency.

The collaboration stems from an agreement signed between Studsvik and ReNu to provide technical expertise and facility design tailored to Japanese regulatory and environmental conditions, including stringent earthquake safety standards. ReNu Industries received government funding of up to 700 million yen (approximately 45 million SEK) to support Fukushima’s reconstruction and the establishment of construction parameters by March 2027, with pilot plant construction completing by March 2029.

According to Karl Thedéen, CEO of Studsvik, this partnership is a pivotal step for entering the Japanese market, which has a substantial volume of liquid and solid radioactive waste requiring innovative treatment solutions. Both companies envision broadening the technology’s application beyond Fukushima to other facilities across Japan and Asia.

The pilot project aligns with the long-term decommissioning timeline for Fukushima Daiichi, expected to extend to 2041-2051, highlighting the critical need for advanced, volume-reducing waste management technologies. Studsvik also plans to continue deploying its inDRUM technology in Sweden, with ambitions to license the process internationally.

This development marks Studsvik’s first major international deployment of inDRUM technology and represents a significant advancement in managing contaminated nuclear waste efficiently and safely on a global scale.