CRF - Centralized Radiochemical Facility
Building Europe's future for radiopharmaceutical production
The Centralized Radiochemical Facility (CRF) is SCK CEN's new state-of-the-art radiopharmaceutical production facility. Designed according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, CRF will enable the production of high-quality medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and future nuclear medicine applications.
The facility's first mission is the production of lutetium-177, one of the most widely used therapeutic radioisotopes for targeted radionuclide therapy. Through CRF, SCK CEN contributes to a secure, independent and sustainable European supply of critical medical radioisotopes.
Lutetium-177 and promising isotopes
The Centralized Radiochemical Facility (CRF) will play a key role in securing the supply of medical radioisotopes for both research and patient care. The facility will support the development of new radiopharmaceuticals in preclinical and clinical studies, while also enabling large-scale production for cancer therapies in hospitals.
From 2027 onwards, SCK CEN will gradually increase its production capacity for lutetium-177, aiming to provide enough isotope for approximately 15,000 patients in the short term and up to 100,000 patients in the long term. In addition, CRF has been designed as a flexible platform capable of processing promising next-generation isotopes such as terbium-161, which could further improve the effectiveness of targeted cancer treatments.
Why lutetium-177?
Targeted radionuclide therapy combines radioactive isotopes with molecules that specifically recognize cancer cells. Once administered to the patient, these molecules deliver radiation directly to tumour sites while limiting exposure to healthy tissue.
Lutetium-177 has become one of the most important therapeutic radioisotopes worldwide and is already used in the treatment of cancers such as neuroendocrine tumours and prostate cancer. As the number of patients benefiting from these innovative therapies continues to grow, so does the need for a reliable and sustainable supply of high-quality medical isotopes. Through CRF, SCK CEN is helping to meet that demand while strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in nuclear medicine.
Funding the CRF
The development of the Centralized Radiochemical Facility was supported through Belgium's Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the central funding instrument of NextGenerationEU. Project M179 was selected as a strategic investment to strengthen Belgian and European capabilities in nuclear medicine and medical radioisotope production. Through this investment, the European Union and Belgium contribute to a more resilient healthcare system, stronger European technological autonomy and improved patient access to innovative cancer treatments
From research to GMP production
CRF brings together all essential steps required for radiopharmaceutical production:
- irradiation and processing of target materials;
- radiochemical separation and purification;
- GMP-compliant production operations;
- pharmaceutical quality control;
- safe handling of radioactive materials and waste streams.
The facility includes specialised production hot cells, quality-control laboratories and advanced supporting infrastructure designed to meet both nuclear safety and pharmaceutical requirements.
A strategic asset for Europe
With CRF, SCK CEN strengthens Europe's capacity to produce therapeutic radioisotopes locally and reduces dependence on external supply chains. The facility forms part of Europe's efforts to improve resilience in healthcare and ensure long-term access to innovative cancer therapies.
Beyond lutetium-177 production, CRF provides a future-proof platform for the development of next-generation radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, supporting innovation in nuclear medicine for decades to come.
Sustainability by design
CRF was developed with a strong focus on sustainability and resource efficiency. A key feature of the production process is the recovery and recycling of enriched ytterbium-176, the valuable target material used to produce lutetium-177. By maximising material recovery and minimising radioactive waste streams, CRF contributes to a more sustainable and circular radioisotope supply chain.
The facility also incorporates advanced waste management strategies and process optimisation measures that support safe operation and responsible use of nuclear materials.
Highlights
These milestones establish the regulatory and operational foundations for future GMP-compliant Lutetium-177 production at SCK CEN.
- December 2022
Detailed facility design completed
- July 2023
Environmental permit obtained
- April 2023
FANC nuclear licence obtained
- August 2023
Construction started
- March 2026
FAGG registration obtained
- June 2026
Construction phase completed
Looking back: the CRF cornerstone ceremony
In November 2023, SCK CEN officially marked the start of the CRF construction with a cornerstone laying ceremony attended by partners, stakeholders and policymakers. The event highlighted the importance of building a resilient European supply chain for life-saving radiopharmaceuticals.
Looking ahead
Following commissioning, CRF will support the routine GMP production of lutetium-177 for hospitals and clinical studies while continuing to optimise production efficiency, recycling processes and waste management.
In the longer term, the facility will serve as a flexible platform for future radioisotope and radiopharmaceutical development, reinforcing Belgium's and Europe's leadership in nuclear medicine innovation.