The international event will bring together more than 430 exhibitors, in addition to major French companies such as EDF and AREVA, whose booths will be next to each other in the center of the exhibition. Above all, the exhibition is an opportunity for business encounters and will not be open to the general public. However, Thursday, October 16 will be devoted specifically to the world of higher education.
Two round tables will be held each day, led by experts or senior executives from major groups, on topics such as power plant operations, training, dismantling or waste management. Luc Oursel will chair the round table of Tuesday, October 14 entitled “Safe and proven technologies for reactors and the fuel cycle”.
The WNE is an initiative of the AIFEN, itself an emanation of the Strategic Committee of the Nuclear Industry (CSFN), which represents some 300 French companies and large nuclear industry associations. The CSFN covers every segment of the industry, from fuel fabrication to dismantling, and includes engineering, technology, components, production, research and other specializations.
It stems from a 2011 decision of the Nuclear Policy Council chaired by Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Economy, Industrial Renewal, and Digital. The CSFN’s members represent every company in the nuclear industry. Its mission is to strengthen intra-industry relations and partnerships. The major thrust of the WNE was established by CSFN’s steering committee of which AREVA is a member.
[1] AIFEN: Association des industriels français exportateurs du nucléaire
[2] OECD: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
[3] Gérard Kottmann is also President of the Burgandy Nuclear Committee (Pôle nucléaire de Bourgogne)