Antinuclear advocates anticipate a cessation of nuclear collaboration with Russia

Calls for Cutting Ties: Nuclear Fuel Factory Lingen and Russia Amidst EU Sanctions

Anti-nuclear faction advocates for scrapping collaborative efforts with Russia - Antinuclear advocates anticipate a cessation of nuclear collaboration with Russia

Anti-nuclear activists are urging an end to the collaboration between the nuclear fuel factory in Lingen, Germany, and Russian nuclear corporations. Bettina Ackermann of the anti-nuclear organization Ausgestrahlt voiced concerns, stating, "The proposed partnership with the Russian nuclear authority Rosatom in Lingen clashes sharply with the EU Commission's laudable objectives." The new government must reject this project's approval, she insisted.

The EU Commission aims to phase out the import of Russian gas into the European Union by 2027's end. Details of the plan's implementation will be shared with member states in June, as per a plan presented in Strasbourg. In the realm of nuclear energy, the commission intends to propose measures against Russian imports of enriched uranium and to restrict new supply contracts for uranium, enriched uranium, and other nuclear materials from Russia.

In 2024, Lingen received approximately 69 tons of uranium from Russia. Last year alone, the factory welcomed 68.8 tons of uranium from Russia, which increased by approximately 66% compared to the previous year. The Lower Saxony Ministry of the Environment confirmed this upon request.

Lower Saxony's Minister of the Environment, Christian Meyer (Greens), demanded action in early 2025, stating, "Our goal should be to diminish our reliance on uranium from Russia, as settled in the coalition agreement," and advocated for sanctions against Russia. Interactions with "the warmonger" Putin should be avoided, especially in the sensitive nuclear sector, Meyer urged, casting a disapproving gaze at the Russian president. Russia aims to bolster its influence significantly, posing a serious risk.

The nuclear fuel factory in Lingen operates under the French state-owned company Framatome. Advanced Nuclear Fuels GmbH (ANF), a subsidiary of the Framatome group based in Lingen, seeks to produce nuclear fuel for Russian reactor types within the facility as well.

Noteworthy Details:

• The joint venture between Framatome and Russia's TVEL, established in 2023, aimed to produce VVER reactor fuel assemblies in Lingen. However, plans changed, with Framatome taking the lead on production while TVEL retained its license and supplied necessary components [2][3].
• Despite shifts in production control, Rosatom retains substantial influence through its license and component sales, raising concerns about possible technological and commercial leverage [2].
• Continuous shipments of Russian uranium to Framatome's Lingen factory have sparked controversy given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the EU's efforts to diminish Russian imports [4][5].
• The EU Commission is committed to ending Russian uranium imports, but the process presents challenges due to existing contracts and the establishment of alternative fuel supply chains. Companies like Westinghouse and Enusa are developing alternatives, but the transition is time-consuming [2][3].

In summary, while steps are being taken to reduce dependence on direct Russian imports, Russian entities continue to exercise influence in the supply chain through licensing and component sales agreements.

1. The calls for ending collaboration between the nuclear fuel factory in Lingen and Russian nuclear corporations align with the EU Commission's efforts to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027, as well as proposed measures against Russian imports of enriched uranium and new supply contracts for uranium, enriched uranium, and other nuclear materials.
2. The joint venture between Framatome and Russia's TVEL, though the production control has shifted, still raises concerns due to Rosatom's substantial influence through its license and component sales, potentially offering technological and commercial leverage.
3. In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the EU's efforts to diminish Russian imports, continuous shipments of Russian uranium to the Framatome's Lingen factory have sparked controversy, eyeing sanctions against Russia and avoiding interactions with "the warmonger" Putin, especially in the sensitive nuclear sector.
4. As EU commission aims to end Russian uranium imports, alternatives such as Westinghouse and Enusa are being developed, but the transition is time-consuming, making it challenging to replace existing contracts and establish new fuel supply chains.

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