Vinçotte selected as accredited certification body within the international ITER nuclear fusion project


ITER (International Tokamak Experimental Reactor) is an international research and development project in which the objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a source of energy for the future. A team of leading specialists from the European Union, the Russian Federation, Japan, China, the United States, India and South Korea are working together on the development and construction of a nuclear fusion reactor.
Nuclear fusion occurs in the sun and other stars, but it is the objective of ITER to demonstrate that this is also possible on Earth. This method has its advantages: the energy that is needed to meet the rising needs of the world population can be produced in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, fuel reserves are sufficient and the nuclear waste is limited. The biggest challenge for now remains reaching and maintaining the required temperature (150 million degrees Celsius) in order to allow ‘light atomic nuclei' to melt together into heavier nuclei.

Within this industrial scientific project, Vinçotte has been given the task of checking the design of the reactor vessel and to supervise its construction. Together with the magnets, this enormous, ring-shaped shaft forms the heart of the installation. The inspections will take place at the builders' sites in the Russian Federation, South Korea, India and the European Union. In addition, Vinçotte will oversee the assembly and construction of the reactor vessel on-site in Cadarache.
Roger Van Steenbergen, Vinçotte CEO: "The fact that Vinçotte, as a Belgian company, has been chosen says something about the expertise of our employees. This project is of importance for the future of the entire world, and within this, we are carrying our share of the responsibility."

About Vinçotte
Vinçotte is a market leader and the leading service provider in the area of inspections, advice and training with regard to quality, safety and the environment. Vinçotte is made up of various entities that focus on the different industrial and residential markets in a specific and specialised manner. The group generates a consolidated turnover of EUR 144 million and has branches all over the world that guarantee activities on all continents. The operating headquarters of the company are located in Vilvoorde, Belgium.


For more information:
Vinçotte
Veerle Huyge - Dienst Communicatie
T : + 32 2 674 58 92
@ : Veerle Huyge

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