Thro, P. Y. ; Coulon, J. P. ; Krzysztoszek, G. ; Schram, R. ; van der Lugt, H. ; Milcak, J. ; Sannen, L. ; Ponsard, B. ; Petry, W.MLZ* ; Gerstenberg, H.MLZ*

2018
European Research Reactor Position Paper for DGE Energy – 2018 report

Report No.: xx

Abstract: The European medical community and patients need a reliable continuous supply chain for Mo-99/Tc-99m. Since the 2008 crisis the OECD High Level Group on the Security of Supply of Medical Radioisotopes (HLG MR), the European Observatory and Association of Imaging Producers & Equipment Suppliers (AIPES) support and secure providing and sustainable production of Mo-99 based on research reactors. Europe plays the leading role in the supply of Mo-99/Tc-99m because it hosts the largest, most coherent and coordinated supply chain from the target manufacturing to medical applications. For Europe, the European Observatory is the leading body for this coordinated approach. Its main strategic objectives are: support a secure Mo-99/Tc-99m supply, ensure that the issue of Mo-99/Tc-99m supply is given high political visibility and establish periodic reviews of the supply capacities and demand. It is meant to provide the coordinated view of the Mo-99/Tc-99m irradiator facilities as a basis for the European decision-making process. In the next decade, it is expected that several European irradiating reactors will shut down. The upcoming capacities of FRM II (Germany) and JHR (France) will be urgently needed for the mid-term but to maintain a sustainable supply in the long-term it will be necessary to provide for further newly built Mo-99/Tc-99m irradiator facilities. To make this economically viable and to encourage investments, full cost recovery (FCR) within the production chain is an indispensable condition. For the irradiator facilities this means an increase of the price paid for the irradiation services. To strengthen the European network all stakeholders should actively participate in the coordinated actions of the European Observatory and AIPES. Diversity within the supply chain is another key impediment to sustainable supply. Further standardisation for target geometries, irradiation rigs, transport containers etc. will increase compatibility between the different irradiators and processors and improve sustainability.European Research Reactor Position Paper for DGE Energy – 2018 report 15 June 2018 Highly radioactive irradiated targets have to be transported within six European countries. Closer coordination among the national licencing authorities for these transports should be part of the sustainable and diverse supply scenario for Europe.

Keyword(s): Others (1st) ; Others (2nd)

1. Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ)

1. No specific instrument