09.12.2024
GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH, leading German provider of nuclear waste management services and packaging solutions, has acquired powder metallurgy specialist Powder Light Metals GmbH (PLM). Powder metallurgy lightweight alloys play a key role in many demanding applications, such as in the latest generation of CASTOR® casks for spent nuclear fuel.
Founded in 2000, PLM has unique expertise in the development and manufacture of nanostructured lightweight alloys using powder metallurgy. These materials play a key role, for example, in the latest generation of CASTOR® casks for spent nuclear fuel, designed and supplied worldwide by GNS. Their advantageous combination of high neutron absorber performance and low weight allows for more efficient cask designs with higher capacities. This reduces the number of casks required, the associated loading and transport processes and the storage space, enabling more cost-effective and resource-efficient disposal solutions.
Borated aluminium components supplied by PLM are currently being used in the baskets of the new CASTOR® geo series, specially designed to meet international customer requirements for higher cask capacities. The first CASTOR® geo cask was loaded at Doel NPP in Belgium earlier this year. Further deliveries, including to Switzerland, are imminent. GNS has already signed contracts with customers in Belgium and Switzerland for the continuous supply of casks beyond 2040. Additional supply contracts are currently being negotiated.
Components manufactured for GNS account for around 90% of PLM's business today. With the internationalisation of GNS’s cask business, this demand is expected to increase further in the long term. In addition, GNS is pursuing further joint product developments.
To secure this strategic supply relationship for the long term, GNS has taken over the operations of PLM and its current eight employees with effect from 1 December 2024. They will continue to operate as an independent but wholly-owned subsidiary of GNS under the new name GNS Power Alloys GmbH (GPA). As part of the GNS Group, which specialises in nuclear waste management, GPA will continue to supply the other existing PLM customers, for example from the automotive, aerospace and chemical industries, who also rely on GPA's unique products, and is ready to expand these supplies if required.
Daniela Lozinski, Vice President Cask Manufacturing at GNS, and Christoph Kohn, Vice President Legal Affairs at GNS, have taken over the management of GNS Power Alloys GmbH in addition to their GNS responsibilities.