The history of Belgoprocess is intertwined with that of Eurochemic, an experimental reprocessing plant that was founded in Dessel in 1957 by an international consortium. Its mission was twofold: the recycling of spent nuclear fuel and conducting scientific research into new reprocessing methods.
When the international consortium was stopped in the late 70s, the Belgian government concluded an agreement in principle for the takeover of Eurochemic.
Belgoprocess was founded in 1984 as a subsidiary of Synatom (responsible for managing the nuclear fuel cycle of the Belgian nuclear power plants) for the continuation of the reprocessing activities including dismantling of the installations after operations had ceased.
In 1986, the government decided to stop all reprocessing activities in Belgium. Belgoprocess is transferred to NIRAS, the National Institute for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials. NIRAS is entrusted by law (8/8/1980) and by royal decree (30/3/1981) with the management of radioactive waste generated on Belgian territory. As a subsidiary of NIRAS, Belgoprocess is commissioned by NIRAS to safely process and temporarily store this radioactive waste. In 1989 the waste department of the Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK•CEN) was also transferred to Belgoprocess.
In the 90s, Belgoprocess successfully operates its two sites – site 1 (former Eurochemic site) and site 2 (former SCK•CEN waste department) – responsible for safely treating and conditioning radioactive waste and for dismantling obsolete nuclear installations.
Today, Belgoprocess is actively working at applying its operational expertise internationally. This has lead to the establishment of various joint ventures and consortia and to a number of international contracts, ranging from treating foreign waste on site, to decommissioning off-site obsolete nuclear facilities, and to implementing plasma thermal technology.
Belgoprocess is recognized internationally for its expertise. A number of its expert engineers are active members of various working groups of the European Community, the OECD and the IAEA determining the rules of radioactive waste management for the future and for setting standards for clearance and recycling of radioactive waste.
