On July 11, 2025, the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP) hosted its 7th SNETP Project Portfolio webinar, focusing on the Euratom-funded projects, PATRICIA & TRANSPARANT and PuMMA and ENEN2plus.

These projects aim to address the challenges and opportunities in partitioning, transmutation, and the management of plutonium (Pu) within the broader scope of sustainable nuclear energy and advanced fuel cycles.

Partitioning And Transmuter Research Initiative in a Collaborative Innovation Action (PATRICIA and the follow up project TRANSPARANT)

The project aims to advance the partitioning and transmutation (P&T) of spent nuclear fuel, particularly focusing on the efficient separation of americium from high‑level waste and the development of novel transmutation fuel systems. Research efforts include studying the behaviour of americium‑bearing fuels under irradiation, enhancing fuel performance simulation codes, investigating safety aspects for systems like the MYRRHA accelerator‑driven system, and exploring chemical separation techniques.

Plutonium management for more agility (PuMMA)

The PuMMA project, which involves contributors from acroos 13 countries and 22 organisations, focusses on developing startegies for managing plutonium in Gen IV reactors in order to optilise the fuel cycle scenarions , assess the impact of Pu content of the fuel behaviour, safety, properties and reprocessing capabilities. The project closed in march 2025 enabled the study of over 1,000 fuel cycle configurations using around 40 simulation codes covering all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. This was supported by experimental validation through irradiation campaigns, such as CAPRIX in the Phénix reactor. New correlations were developed for key thermal properties of MOX fuel with high plutonium content, including melting points, thermal conductivity, and reprocessing behavior. Significant efforts were also made to transfer knowledge to the next generation of researchers through dedicated workshops and the development of a MOOC.

Building European Nuclear Competence through continuous Advanced and Structured Education and Training Actions (ENEN2plus)

The ENEN2plus project aims at strengthening nuclear education, training, and workforce development across Europe and beyond. Building on the former ENENplus, it brings together 51 partners from 3 continents and features a €2.5 million mobility fund to support students, researchers, and professionals. The project focuses on attracting new talent, enhancing nuclear competencies, and offering career events, summer schools, and networking opportunities. A key deliverable is a nuclear education hub (https://nuclear-education.eu), designed to centralize educational and VET programs. Over 1,000 participants have already benefited from mobility support. ENEN2plus also contributes to revising the EU’s education and training strategy and promotes collaboration between education, training, and industry (E&T&I) sectors.

Looking Ahead
The next webinar will take place in September 2025, more information will be shared soon.