Belgium Submitted BR2 Reactor Safety Report
The research reactor, a major source of medical isotopes, plans to transition to lower enriched uranium fuel.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Nuclear
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SCK CEN has submitted a comprehensive safety assessment for the BR2 research reactor to Belgian regulators. This step marks a major milestone in the decade-long project to convert the facility to lower enriched uranium fuel to bolster proliferation resistance.
Why it matters
The conversion aims to enhance global security by replacing highly enriched uranium with lower enriched uranium. As the facility produces one-fourth of the world's molybdenum-99 supply, ensuring safe operations during this transition is critical for medical isotope availability.
The BR2 reactor operates seven times per year in 30-day cycles. Engineers developed a core design for the project that accommodates a wide range of operational uses while meeting performance standards.
The players
SCK CEN
This is the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre that operates the BR2 reactor and manages the conversion project.
Federal Agency for Nuclear Control
This is the Belgian regulatory body responsible for overseeing safety assessments and nuclear operations within the country.
Argonne National Laboratory
This is a multidisciplinary research center that provided technical analysis and engineering support for the reactor fuel conversion.
The details
Scientists and engineers performed extensive safety analysis using specialized codes to evaluate fuel performance and system requirements. This work was conducted in partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, which provided the necessary technical analysis for the conversion effort.
Timeline
From 2016 through 2026, the Argonne team worked on reactor conversion support.
In September 2026, SCK CEN submitted the formal safety assessment report.
SCK CEN expects to obtain regulatory approval for the fuel conversion in 2027.
Deeper Dive
This conversion follows the pattern set by the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors program to transition facilities away from highly enriched uranium. It represents a significant shift toward increasing nuclear proliferation resistance in global research operations.
The transition to lower enriched uranium is designed to maintain the reliable production of molybdenum-99, which is essential for medical diagnostic imaging worldwide. Ensuring this transition succeeds prevents potential supply disruptions for hospitals and patients who rely on these isotopes.
The takeaway
The successful conversion of high-output reactors is a vital step in modernizing the nuclear industry to prioritize global security. Similar facilities worldwide are expected to follow these safety protocols as they modernize their own fuel requirements over the coming years.
What happens next
SCK CEN expects to receive regulatory approval for the fuel conversion in 2027, after which the organization plans to begin the physical conversion of the reactor systems.
Further reading
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