High demand for geopolymer training highlights global shift in radioactive waste management
A specialised EURAD2 training course on geopolymers for radioactive waste management, has drawn significant international attention. Delivered by SCK CEN experts alongside leading European partners, the programme reflects a growing global interest in innovative waste immobilisation technologies. With registration reaching full capacity in just 24 hours, the course underscores both urgency and enthusiasm in the sector. It also signals a broader transition toward alternative materials beyond traditional cement-based systems.
Course on geopolymers
The three-day course, organised by SCK CEN within the framework of the EURAD School of Radioactive Waste Management, offered participants a comprehensive introduction to geopolymers and their application in radioactive waste immobilisation. The programme combined theoretical and practical elements, including lectures, laboratory sessions, upscaling, non-destructive testing and hands-on workshops. The response to the course, which was fully booked within 24 hours and limited to 20 participants, demonstrates the interest for specialised training in this field. The diverse international participation highlights that interest in geopolymer technology extends well beyond Belgium, confirming its potential as a globally relevant solution for radioactive waste management. This aligns with the recent IAEA Coordinate Research Project “Geopolymers as an Immobilization Matrix for Radioactive Waste”, in which SCK CEN plays a key role.
Participants explored key topics such as geopolymer chemistry, synthesis routes, advanced material characterisation techniques, and upscaling technology. The curriculum also included case studies demonstrating how geopolymer matrices can be applied to various radioactive waste streams, complemented by real-world examples from operational programmes. Laboratory sessions enabled attendees to gain direct experience with characterisation methods, while workshops addressed upscaling challenges and the use of non-destructive testing techniques to assess performance at drum scale.
The course was further enriched by guest lectures from experts at PSI, SURAO, and NRG PALLAS, ensuring a broad European perspective. Through interactive discussions and group exercises, participants developed a deeper understanding of performance assessment and quality control approaches for geopolymer-based waste forms.
SCK CEN’s internationally recognised expertise
SCK CEN has positioned itself as a leading authority in the development and application of geopolymers for nuclear waste conditioning. Its team of waste conditioning experts continues playing a pivotal role in advancing knowledge, bridging research and practical implementation, and training the next generation of specialists.
The use of geopolymers as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) systems to condition various challenging radioactive waste streams, is steadily increasing, driven by their favourable properties such as chemical durability, compatibility and adaptability to diverse waste streams. SCK CEN’s expertise in this domain is helping to shape the future of radioactive waste conditioning technologies worldwide.
A call to action: advancing acceptance criteria
As interest in geopolymer-based waste forms accelerates, a critical next step emerges for waste management organisations: the development and implementation of clear acceptance criteria for geopolymer-conditioned radioactive waste. While in some countries, such as Belgium, this is being implemented in a stepwise fashion, this is not the case for all waste management organisations. Technical progress and practical experience are advancing rapidly, it is clear that regulatory frameworks and acceptance standards must evolve in parallel to enable wider deployment.
The success of this course serves as a clear signal that the sector is ready to move forward. Waste management organisations, regulators, and policymakers are encouraged to collaborate and take decisive action to integrate geopolymers into existing frameworks. By doing so, they can unlock the full potential of this promising technology and support more sustainable and flexible solutions for radioactive waste management.
