At Urenco, sustainability is embedded in how we manage nuclear materials across the fuel cycle. This includes the responsible treatment of depleted uranium hexafluoride (UF₆), commonly known as “tails”, a by-product of the enrichment process.
Our approach to tails management
During enrichment, the concentration of uranium-235 is increased to produce fuel for nuclear power generation. The remaining material – tails – still contains usable uranium and can be re-enriched when it is commercially viable to do so. This approach supports the efficient use of natural resources and is standard practice across the industry.
When re-enrichment is not viable, tails are safely stored or prepared for long-term management through deconversion. Urenco has invested in a multi-million pound Tails Management Facility, which provides dedicated capacity for the deconversion of tails from our European enrichment sites.
Operating since 2021, the facility plays a key role in our long-term approach to nuclear stewardship, ensuring materials are managed safely, securely and responsibly. All activities are carried out in line with strict international safeguards and non-proliferation requirements.
We are very proud of the safety record during the TMF’s construction - more than 7 million hours of safe working were achieved making the TMF one of the safest construction sites in the UK.
CASE STUDY
Tails Management Facility
Deconversion process
Deconversion converts UF₆ into a more stable chemical form suitable for storage and potential future use.
At our Tails Management Facility (TMF) in the UK, UF₆ is heated and reacted with steam in specially designed process units. This produces uranyl fluoride, which is further reacted with steam and hydrogen to form uranium oxide (U₃O₈), a stable powder, and hydrogen fluoride (HF).
Uranium oxide (U₃O₈): packed into secure containers for safe, long-term storage.
Hydrofluoric acid (HF):captured, cooled and reused as a valuable industrial product.
This controlled process ensures the safe handling of materials while supporting circular use wherever possible. What our video to take a virtual tour of the TMF or download our factsheet to learn more about our deconversion process.
Supporting wider industry
The hydrofluoric acid produced during deconversion is reused across several industries. It is commonly used for:
• treating and cleaning metals
• etching and processing glass and electronics
• removing impurities from materials
• manufacturing refrigerants and other fluorine-based products
By recovering and supplying this material, we help reduce waste and contribute to wider industrial supply chains. A carbon footprint audit we conducted of the TMF showed that the hydrofluoric acid we produce has an estimated carbon intensity of only one third of that produced via traditional means.
Get in touch
Get in touch with our team who can discuss queries you may have relating to our Tails Management facility.