Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC (a subsidiary of Kazatomprom) and the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 31 January in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The parties announced mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of R&D of Kazakhstan’s nuclear industry.
In the frame of the Memorandum, a working group among scientists from both sides will be created to discuss initiatives and implement specific projects.
The parties discussed the possibility of introducing the R&D products of the Institute of Nuclear Physics into the production cycle of Ulba Metallurgical Plant, manufacturing large nuclear reactor components from beryllium and beryllides (titanium, chromium, tantalum, molybdenum, etc.), and plate fuel assemblies for a new research reactor.
Ulba Metallurgical Plant is one of the world's most recognized producers of uranium, beryllium, tantalum and niobium products. The company has three production facilities on one industrial site, with testing and research centers, a design and engineering institute, a number of auxiliary production facilities, as well as a subsidiary for the production of fuel assemblies, Ulba-FA LLP, and a subsidiary focused on the production of non-standard equipment for the nuclear and mining industries, MASHZAVOD LLP.
“The work of our enterprises is entirely based on the use of peaceful atoms. The IAEA Low-Enriched Uranium Bank has been launched on the territory of the plant. Our plant implemented a project to process a single batch of non-irradiated highly enriched nuclear material from the National Nuclear Center into low-enriched material. We launched a plant for the production of fuel assemblies - a breakthrough innovative project, which allowed Kazatomprom to enter the limited circle of participants in the market of fuel producers for nuclear power plants. I am confident that our fruitful cooperation and combined scientific potential will lead to specific results and contribute greatly to the domestic economy", noted Sergey Bezhetsky, CEO of Ulba Metallurgical Plant.
The Institute of Nuclear Physics is the only center for fundamental and applied research and training in the nuclear industry in Kazakhstan. It has a wide scientific and technical base consisting of developed structure of training centers, departments, laboratories, and technical services uniting more than 600 specialists, and the VVR-K research light water reactor.
“The Institute of Nuclear Physics is the leading organization of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of radiation and nuclear technologies, which also strives to enter the pool of leading research institutes in the world. In recent years, it has been ranked first in the number of publications in international journals among the research institutes of Kazakhstan. It operates nuclear and radiation installations and employs highly qualified personnel, thanks to which its R&D is carried out at a high quality level. The institute plans to expand its experimental base. In particular, the creation of new accelerators for the production of medical radioisotopes and scientific applications, as well as the construction of a new research reactor to preserve and enhance nuclear competencies,” said Sayabek Sakhiyev, the General Director of the Institute of Nuclear Physics.
Integrating the technological capabilities of Kazatomprom on the basis of Ulba Metallurigcal Plant and the scientific and experimental capabilities of the Institute of Nuclear Physics will open new perspective to promote scientific activities in the nuclear industry of Kazakhstan.
