Security of supply

If the Netherlands now makes a decision to invest in PALLAS, they will maintain and reinforce the strategic advantage that they have. Worldwide, there are only a few research reactors with a high neutron flux in operation. As a result, the capacity in these reactors for research on and testing of materials is very limited. The production of essential medical isotopes suffers the same limitations; demand is increasing whilst research reactor capacity is decreasing.

The reactors that are currently in operation are ageing. They suffer more and more interruptions to production as a result of maintenance needs. They will all progressively have to cease production. The largest producer of medical isotopes has been off-line on several occasions. When this happens, 40 to 50 percent of the world’s production capacity can be lost with the consequence that hospitals around the world are unable to diagnose and treat so many patients.

The Netherlands has the expertise to change this urgent situation into an opportunity. By building Pallas the Netherlands can consolidate its position in nuclear research and even become the world leader in the production of medical isotopes.