The gesture

Highlights 2025

Sometimes, contours remain abstract, until action gives them meaning. It is these trusted, precise actions – that we master thanks to our decades of expertise – that prove their worth to people day after day.

SCK CEN wears yellow ribbon for ‘Day against Cancer’

16/10/2025
In Belgium, more than 80,000 people a year are diagnosed with cancer. On average, that amounts to 219 diagnoses of cancer per day, or more than nine per hour. Behind each of these numbers is a personal story: a person, a family and a future suddenly turned upside down. Today marks the 26^th edition of Day Against Cancer. The day when all of Flanders pins on a yellow ribbon to show solidarity with cancer patients and their loved ones. We at SCK CEN also visibly wear the ribbon on our lapel today. The ribbon is for them, just like our daily dedication. Because our dedication revolves around one goal: boosting the fight against cancer.

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Estonia acquires Belgian knowledge for future nuclear plans

30/01/2025
Estonia aims to diversify its energy mix and, as part of that initiative, is considering building water-cooled Small Modular Reactors (SMR). By doing that, the country will be taking an unprecedented step forward in its energy policy that will mark the advent of the first nuclear reactors for commercial electricity production on Estonian territory. And that not only requires the facility itself to be constructed, but also an efficient monitoring programme, aligned nuclear emergency planning and a robust approach regarding safeguards. To prepare Estonia for this, SCK CEN organised an intensive three-day workshop on site. After all, SCK CEN was involved from the start of nuclear energy in Belgium and has experienced for itself the journey now ahead for Estonia.

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SCK CEN plays a crucial role in the national emergency planning exercise at the Tihange Nuclear Power Plant

27/02/2025
A large-scale national exercise to test preparedness in the event of a nuclear accident at the Tihange Nuclear Power Plant took place in February 2025. SCK CEN played an important role in different aspects: in advising CELEVAL, in taking measurements on site, in coordinating the measuring teams and in analysing samples.

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From Mol to Fukushima: Belgian expertise in service of global safety

10/07/2025
In June 2025, SCK CEN joined an international mission led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The task: taking and analysing samples of treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, purified using the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). This contribution underscores the key role of the Belgian nuclear research centre in promoting global nuclear safety and transparency.

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New SCK CEN installation in Tabloo highlights nuclear lifecycle

18/12/2025
A new feature has been added in our section of the Tabloo exhibition. Thanks to this exciting installation, visitors to the scientific experience centre in Dessel are immersed in the challenges of the nuclear lifecycle. Using the fun interactive screen application, you discover how to maximise material recycling and how the (limited) remaining share of radioactive waste will end up being safely disposed of. The remediation of contaminated areas is also clearly explained.

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