Transmutex, a nuclear energy start-up located in Geneva, has developed a technology that has the potential to significantly reduce nuclear waste. While Nagra, the organization responsible for final storage facilities, acknowledges the plausibility of Transmutex’s calculations, they remain focused on their current plans. At a community hall in Stadel ZH, Franz Strohmer, head of fuel and reprocessing at Transmutex, presented the company’s innovative approach to handling radioactive waste.
The idea behind Transmutex’s technology was conceived by Carlo Rubbia, a Nobel Prize winner in physics and former Director General of CERN. The company’s reactor design aims to recycle and burn radioactive waste instead of burying it, significantly reducing the amount of waste produced. This process, known as “transmutation,” could reduce highly radioactive waste in Switzerland by over 80% and shorten the time needed for radiation decay by a factor of 1000.
Transmutex was founded in 2019 and is privately financed with 38 employees from 16 different countries. The company’s goal is to build a new type of reactor that eliminates the risk of nuclear meltdowns and produces minimal highly radioactive waste. While their technology shows promise in reducing waste, Nagra maintains its focus on building a deep repository for radioactive waste in Switzerland.
Despite the potential benefits of Transmutex’s technology, Nagra remains committed to their existing plans for the disposal of radioactive waste. The startup’s concept would require significant investment and regulatory changes in Switzerland, including lifting the ban on building new nuclear power plants. Transmux plans to secure approval from the US nuclear authority by 2035 and expand their technology to other countries.
While there is interest and possible financing for Transmux’s technology, the company plans to remain private. Challenges in implementing their plans include establishing a process for waste processing and finding suitable locations for necessary facilities. Nagra will submit a general licence application for a repository at Stadel in November with plans for storage of low- and medium-level waste beginning around 2050.
Transmux’s innovative approach to handling nuclear waste has sparked discussion and interest within the community. Questions and concerns from audience members highlight the need for further research and consideration of the implications of implementing this technology despite challenges ahead
