Nuclear Company – AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear
AtkinsRéalis is a global engineering services and nuclear organization that integrates people, data, and technology to deliver complex infrastructure and energy solutions. Through its U.S. nuclear subsidiary, Isotek Systems, the company plays a critical role in environmental cleanup, nuclear material management, and advanced isotope production in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy.
At the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, AtkinsRéalis leads the Uranium-233 (U-233) Disposition Project, one of the nation’s highest-priority nuclear cleanup initiatives. The project focuses on safely processing and disposing of legacy Cold War nuclear material while simultaneously extracting valuable isotopes for medical use.
Through advanced processing and downblending techniques, Isotek recovers thorium-229 (Th-229) from U-233. This rare isotope is used to produce actinium-225 (Ac-225), a key component in targeted alpha therapy, an emerging cancer treatment that delivers radiation directly to cancer cells with minimal damage to healthy tissue.
By transforming nuclear waste into life-saving medical resources, the project addresses two major global challenges: environmental remediation and cancer treatment innovation. The initiative has significantly increased the global supply of critical medical isotopes and expanded access to advanced therapies, while also reducing long-term risks associated with storing highly radioactive materials.
