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Case study: Innovative solutions to reuse Hydrofluoric Acid
06 October 2026 Global SustainabilityUrenco ChemPlants (UCP) produces between 3,000 and 5,000 tonnes of Hydrofluoric Acid (HF) each year as a co-product from the deconversion process of UF6 tails. Innovative solutions for reusing HF in industrial processes have been developed through close collaboration with our HF customer Gower Chemicals Ltd. Many of our regular customers utilise Westinghouse Fuel Fabrication facilities to convert the uranium enriched by us into fuel pellets for use in power stations. These pellets are subsequently housed in steel fuel rods and encased.
Urenco’s HF is used in the manufacturing preparation of these steel casings before being shipped to Westinghouse for fuel rod assembly. Approximately 250 tonnes of HF per year is used in this process, with this expected to grow in the coming years.
By re-purposing the HF within the next stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, this is an excellent example of circular resource sharing in the nuclear sector, where a waste or co-product of one organisation becomes the raw input for another. Additional circular industrial uses of the remainder of Urenco’s HF include:
- Surface treatment of metals e.g. stainless steel and titanium production globally
- Washing of graphite for use in EV batteries
- Washing of quartz in semiconductor production
- Industrial cleaning and automotive applications
- Glass etching.
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About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of uranium enrichment services, fuel cycle products and related solutions with sustainability at the core of our business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for over 50 years, Urenco understands the importance of energy security and facilitates the reliable delivery of low carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office in London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Through our technology and the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services, operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is making a positive contribution to global climate change goals through our core business and we are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
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