UK-based Cavendish Nuclear and its US-based partner Amentum have been awarded the next phase of work by the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) to support the decommissioning of the Monju prototype fast reactor in Fukui Prefecture, western Japan.

A statement said their joint venture, Alkali Metal Processing, will build a UK facility to treat the reactor’s sodium coolant, converting it into sodium hydroxide for industrial reuse.

The contract follows a design and engineering phase and draws on experience from decommissioning the UK’s Dounreay prototype fast reactor, which shares design similarities with Monju.