A key contract has been placed to support the continued safe
storage of plutonium as the UK works toward the permanent
disposal of its plutonium legacy.
LTi Metaltech Ltd, a UK fabrication and welding specialist, has
secured a £45 million contract to supply containment products for
the Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP)
on the Sellafield site.
When operational, SRP will prepare plutonium for long‑term
storage ahead of its future immobilisation. The plant will treat
existing plutonium stocks and repackage them into durable, modern
containers known as 100‑year cans.
That will ensure the material is capable of being transferred to
an immobilisation facility where it will be converted into a
stable waste form, suitable for consignment to a Geological
Disposal Facility (GDF).
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is currently
developing the specialist capabilities needed to enable the
immobilisation process.
But first, the SRP facility is needed to ensure the material is
stabilised and safely packaged.
LTi Metaltech will supply specialist products built to nuclear
quality standards, supported by rigorous inspection and full
material traceability throughout manufacture.
SRP is one of the largest and most complex projects under way at
Sellafield. It is being delivered through Sellafield's Programme
and Project Partners (PPP) model, which brings together KBR,
Amentum, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and Altrad Babcock,
supported by a wider supply chain.
Together, they will deliver a 20‑year programme of major
infrastructure projects..
James Riddick, Sellafield Ltd chief supply chain officer, said:
Sellafield has safely and securely managed plutonium since the
1940s, developing world leading expertise in the process and
being recognised as the UK's centre of excellence for plutonium
management. It's a mission of national significance and
requires expertise across a vast supply chain.
LTi and Metaltech is now part of this mission and was selected
for its robust high-integrity manufacturing approach, specialist
capability, and a delivery model aimed at consistent, repeatable
supply over the life of the contract.
Edgar Rayner, LTi Metaltech managing director, said:
We're proud to support Sellafield's mission, and the contract
award reflects our ethos of ‘making stuff that matters',
delivering high-integrity products for projects where safety and
reliability are critical.
This contract is an important milestone for LTi Metaltech and a
strong endorsement of our manufacturing capability.
LTi Metaltech has also committed to delivering social and
economic value in Cumbria.
This includes tackling local skills gaps through places at its
welding school, partnering with local small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) on manufacturing and quality initiatives, and
establishing a Cumbrian facility for warehousing, assembly, and
logistics.
The company will also target disadvantaged groups for job
opportunities, create new apprenticeships, and support local
volunteering.
Gareth Frazer, head of manufacturing and engineering solutions
for Sellafield Ltd, said:
This is another step forward for the Sellafield Manufactured
Products (MPO) team as LTi Metaltech is a new addition to our
supply chain and this contract is the first to use our new
product introduction process.
They have demonstrated great capability in the tender process for
SRP products and are already making positive moves to support our
local supply chain and community. Myself and the MPO team are
looking forward to working with LTi Metaltech to deliver these
mission critical products.
