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Ukraine’s nuclear regulator has approved the release of the first 22 tons of carbon steel from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (ChNPP) for reuse within the country, marking a new phase in the site’s long-term decommissioning. The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) announced its decision on October 28, 2025. This approval is the first of its kind, allowing materials previously classified as radioactive to be re-introduced into the national economy after a rigorous verification process. The steel, generated during the dismantling of equipment at the plant, was processed at the site’s new Free Release Facility, designated FRM-03. According to ChNPP, the materials “were fragmented, decontaminated, and then thoroughly checked… using gamma-spectrometric monitoring” before being cleared for release, as reported by World Nuclear News. Dedicated facility for decommissioning This facility, which began industrial operation in September 2025, was specifically established to support the plant’s decommissioning. It was created as an international project funded by the European Union’s ‘Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation’ (EU INCS). The SNRIU was involved throughout the facility’s construction, conducting nuclear and radiation safety examinations of its design and technical documents in cooperation with international experts. Prior to its full-scale use, the facility completed comprehensive acceptance tests and a pilot industrial operation phase. In August 2025, the SNRIU approved the facility’s commercial operation for processing small-sized materials. The facility is capable of processing up to 10 tonnes of material per day. Environmental and economic benefits Plant operators stated this first release is “an important step not only for the Chernobyl NPP but for Ukraine as a whole.” They explained that environmentally, the process helps reduce the total amount of radioactive waste that requires long-term treatment and disposal. Economically, it “allows additional funds to be directed to decommissioning activities and helps ease the burden on the State Budget of Ukraine.” The operators also noted that, technically, the process “demonstrates the reliability and effectiveness of Ukraine’s radiation monitoring system.” The SNRIU echoed this sentiment, explaining that significant amounts of radioactive materials are generated during dismantling. The regulator noted that this approach “is in line with best international practice.” The goal is to minimize waste “while at the same time returning a significant amount of valuable materials to the national economy for further use,” all while ensuring the “unconditional protection of the population and the environment.” Future plan for Chernobyl site The Chernobyl plant is located about 80 miles north of Kiev. Following the 1986 accident at Unit 4, a 1620-square-mile Exclusion Zone was established. A containment shelter was built over the destroyed reactor, which has since been encased by the larger New Safe Confinement structure. The other three reactor units at the site continued to operate for a time; the last one, unit 3, was shut down in 2000. With this first batch of steel approved, ChNPP confirmed the next step is to “expand this process to include materials from the three power units that are currently being decommissioned.” This recycling initiative is part of a broader plan for the site, which also includes gradually reducing the size of the exclusion zone and considering the area’s suitability for hosting small modular reactors.
