Honeywell Uranium Conversion Facility Awarded 40-Year License Renewal By Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Metropolis, III., plant is the only U.S. facility to convert uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride for enriched uranium production

Honeywell today announced that its Metropolis Works Plant, which produces an essential compound to fuel nuclear power plants, received approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to operate for an additional 40 years. The new license for the plant, located in Metropolis, III., will expire on March 24, 2060. The facility is currently in a “ready-idle” state. This license renewal enables Honeywell to restart operations within the next 40 years, when market conditions improve to operate sustainably.

Metropolis Works is the only facility in the U.S. to convert uranium ore into uranium hexafluoride (UF6) for use in the production of enriched uranium to fuel nuclear power plants. The plant opened in 1958.

“The NRC decision to grant Honeywell’s request for a 40-year license extension displays a significant vote of confidence that the Metropolis facility has the capability to remain as a critical part of the U.S. nuclear fuel infrastructure, supplying both our U.S. and global customers for the foreseeable future,” said Sanjeev Rastogi, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Fluorine Products.

Nuclear power plants provide about 20% of America’s electricity and uranium conversion is critical to the nuclear fuel cycle. Honeywell obtains uranium oxide from mills and in-situ recovery facilities and converts it to UF6, which is transported to other facilities to be enriched and subsequently made into fuel for use in commercial nuclear power reactors.

The NRC’s review is documented in a final safety evaluation report, published this month, and an environmental assessment published in October 2019.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable.  For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

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Jane Khodos
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