Advancing nuclear technologies

NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH (NUKEM) and the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in nuclear safety, science and technology. The agreement was formally signed on September 25, 2025, by Andreas Pautz, Head of the PSI Center for Nuclear Engineering and Sciences (NES), Marco Streit, Head of PSI/NES Hot Laboratory, and Nobuaki Ninomiya, Executive Officer and Managing Director of NUKEM. 

The MoU establishes a general framework for cooperation in key areas including:

• Scientific expertise and studies: PSI will provide scientific support such as feasibility studies, technical assessments, and analyses related to reactor safety, nuclear fuel, waste treatment, and decommissioning.
• Testing and experimental support: PSI will perform specific laboratory or pilot-scale tests on behalf and jointly with NUKEM.
• Student exchanges and training: NUKEM will offer PSI students, doctoral candidates, and interns practical opportunities to gain industrial experience in applied nuclear engineering projects.

This three-year agreement marks the beginning of a collaborative effort that will accelerate research, technology development, and knowledge exchange across borders.

“With the new partnership with the Paul Scherrer Institute, collaboration in nuclear science and technology across Switzerland, Germany, and Japan will be significantly strengthened. This framework will foster innovation in nuclear research, enhance safety standards, and support the next generation of scientists and engineers,” says Nobuaki Ninomiya. 

The MoU reflects both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing nuclear technologies in a safe, responsible, and internationally collaborative framework. Both parties are committed to the highest safety standards for nuclear installations and stand for excellence in the safe conditioning and disposal of radioactive waste.  

 “The collaboration between PSI and NUKEM unites cutting-edge research with highly trusted engineering expertise to sustain Europe’s nuclear excellence and drive breakthroughs in ultra-safe fuel and reactor technologies, ” says Andreas Pautz, describing the shared goal.

NUKEM Technologies Engineering Services GmbH in Karlstein am Main, Germany, is world-wide active in the areas of management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, decommissioning of nuclear facilities, engineering and consulting. For more than 60 years NUKEM provides high quality products, technologies and services, where innovation, solutions and excellence are closely linked.

PSI develops, builds and operates complex large research facilities and is also Switzerland’s center of excellence in nuclear energy research. It operates unique nuclear infrastructures, e.g. the PSI Hot Laboratory, a well-equipped facility for work and research on radioactive material. The know-how of PSI is instrumental for the safe operation of the Swiss nuclear reactor fleet, the disposal of radioactive waste in the deep geological repository, and the training and education of the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers. 

Marco Streit is looking forward to a successful collaboration: “I am delighted that NUKEM recognizes the high value of the Swiss hot laboratory for material testing, fuel analysis, and as a training facility.”