Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti Romania

What Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti Romania does

RATEN ICN (Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești, Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti) is a state-owned Romanian nuclear research institute founded in 1971 and operating under RATEN (Regia Autonomă pentru Energie Termonucleară). It is the only nuclear research institute in Romania running a multi-megawatt research reactor, a TRIGA dual-core unit delivering 14 MW in steady-state mode and 20,000 MW in pulsed (ACPR) mode, and it holds National Critical Infrastructure designation. The institute has 89 employees and serves Romanian state-owned nuclear clients (Cernavoda NPP via Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica / SNN, and the Nuclear Fuel Factory Pitesti / FCN) as well as international partners including IAEA, NEA-OECD, CEA France, SCK CEN Belgium, KAERI Korea, DOE USA, COG Canada, IRSN, and IUCN Dubna.

Its core technical capabilities span post-irradiation examination, fuel qualification for CANDU-6 reactors, radioactive waste management, decommissioning support, radioisotope production (4,500-5,000 Ci/year of Ir-192 sealed sources), and gamma irradiation services delivered through in-house assets such as the FFLS facility. The institute operates multi-certified nuclear infrastructure (ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 17025, ASME Section III, CNCAN, ISCIR) and is the lead partner in the FALCON consortium developing the ALFRED (Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator) Generation IV reactor, with Romanian government financing for Phase 1 secured in 2020.

The institute generates revenue from a mix of Romanian state base funding, service contracts with Cernavoda NPP and FCN, international R&D and consulting contracts, EU project funding, and radioisotope sales. Its strategic posture is shifting from a domestic CANDU support role toward a Gen IV and SMR research-and-training hub for the region, anchored by the 2020 U.S. DoE Intergovernmental Agreement, ICERR designation from IAEA, and a newly launched SMR Public Information Centre.

Name

Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti Romania

Legal name

Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești

Website

https://nuclear.ro

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

RATEN ICN (Institutul de Cercetări Nucleare Pitești) is Romania's sole nuclear research institute, operating a TRIGA dual-core research reactor and providing fuel qualification, post-irradiation examination, radioactive waste management, and CANDU reactor support to Cernavoda NPP and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Research and Engineering Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829), X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEUACADAH

Research & Test Reactor Operations (Non-Commercial Power)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Electric Power Generation/Nuclear Power Generation

SECONDARYEUAKAIAL

Nuclear Materials Testing, Assay & Characterization Services (NDA/NDE, radiochemistry, materials analysis)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Materials, Radiation Services & Isotopes (Medical/Industrial)

SECONDARYEUAKADAO

Component Qualification, Testing & Certification (Seismic, Environmental, EMI/EMC)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Reactor Technology & Components (SMRs, Gen III/IV, Instrumentation & Controls)

SECONDARYEUAKADAL

In-Core & Ex-Core Instrumentation (Neutron Flux, Temperature, Pressure, Vibration)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Reactor Technology & Components (SMRs, Gen III/IV, Instrumentation & Controls)

SECONDARYEUAKAHAL

Spent Fuel Management Engineering, Consulting & Digital Tools (Thermal/Shielding/Criticality, QA)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Nuclear Energy/Spent Fuel Management (Storage, Transport & Reprocessing)

SECONDARYEUAKADAI

Reactor Protection, Safety Systems & Engineered Safeguards (ECCS, Containment Isolation)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Nuclear Energy/Nuclear Reactor Technology & Components (SMRs, Gen III/IV, Instrumentation & Controls)

Keywords

• Nuclear research services
• Reactor physics testing
• Radioactive waste management
• Post-irradiation examination
• Radioisotope production

Headquarters

HQ city

Mioveni

HQ country

Romania

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RATEN ICN operates the TRIGA research reactor complex (14 MW steady-state and 20,000 MW pulsed Annular Core Pulsed Reactor) and provides nuclear research, testing, and engineering services to Romania's nuclear industry. Its offering spans reactor physics and safety analyses, CANDU fuel qualification, irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination (PIEL), radioactive waste treatment and conditioning, radioisotope production (Ir-192 sealed sources), nuclear equipment design and qualification, corrosion and materials testing (including molten lead environments for Generation IV reactors), radiation protection monitoring, and technical support for the ALFRED lead-cooled fast reactor demonstration project.

Product overview

RATEN ICN (Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti) operates as a comprehensive nuclear research institute offering specialized products, services, and technologies for the nuclear energy sector. The portfolio includes research reactor facilities (TRIGA 14MW steady-state and pulsed reactors), post-irradiation examination services, and radioactive waste treatment. Core services span reactor physics analyses, nuclear fuel design, irradiation testing, and radioisotope production (including 192Ir sources at 4500-5000 Ci/year). The institute provides specialized nuclear materials testing and corrosion analysis, equipment qualification testing for CANDU reactors, radiation protection monitoring, and nuclear equipment design services. Key products include Failed Fuel Location Systems (FFLS), radioactivity monitoring systems, ionization chamber detection assemblies, sealed radioactive sources (192Ir, 60Co), and nuclear instrumentation/control systems. Technologies offered include specialty welding (micro-TIG, micro-plasma, vacuum brazing), waste treatment/conditioning technologies, and experimental fuel fabrication. The institute supports the ALFRED lead-cooled fast reactor project through the FALCON consortium and provides technical assistance for Cernavoda NPP operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PIEL (Post Irradiation Examination Laboratory): Laboratory for post-irradiation examination of nuclear materials and fuel
• TRIGA Reactor
• LADICON

Products and services

• Reactor Physics and Fuel Performance Services
• Irradiation Tests and Radioisotope Production
• Post-Irradiation Examination Services (PIEL)
• Nuclear Materials and Corrosion Testing
• Radioactive Waste Management Services
• Nuclear Equipment Testing and Qualification
• Radiation Protection Services
• Nuclear Equipment Design
• Technical Quality Control and Quality Management
• Failed Fuel Location System (FFLS)
• Radioactivity Monitoring System for Heat Transport System
• Ionization Chamber Detection Assemblies
• Ionization Chamber Amplifiers
• Sealed Ir-192 Sources for Industrial Radiography
• Sealed Co-60 Source Capsules
• Radioactive Waste Packaging
• Nuclear Instrumentation and Control Systems
• ALFRED Reactor Project Support Services
• Fuel Fabrication Technology Transfer
• Specialty Welding Technology Transfer
• Waste Treatment Technology Transfer
• TRIGA Research Reactor Services

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• DoE USA (US Department of Energy)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2020Intergovernmental agreement signed October 9, 2020 by US Secretary of State for Energy and Romanian Minister of Economy for cooperation on expansion and modernization of Romania's civilian nuclear program, including Units 3 & 4 and refurbishment of Unit 1 at Cernavoda, and potential SMR development. Original information exchange agreement was signed in 1999. RATEN ICN participated in EURATOM-US INERI project on LFR in Regional Energy Markets.
• Trilateral Collaboration Agreement — University of Pitesti and Mansoura University EgyptminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2018ACT signed September 17, 2018 (5-year duration) for facilitating human resources training in Nuclear Technology and Radiation on topics including nuclear safety, radiation protection, reactor physics, nuclear materials characterization, radioactive material management, radiological risk management, and nuclear energy system modeling.
• IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016Practical Arrangements agreement signed in September 2016 (renewed 2019 for 3 years) in the field of nuclear safety. Creates framework for international assistance for infrastructure development and preliminary activities for construction of nuclear installations. RATEN ICN also holds ICERR (International Centre based on Research Reactor) designation from IAEA.
• FALCON Consortium (ENEA Italy, ANSALDO Nucleare, RATEN ICN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2013FALCON consortium formed December 18, 2013, for coordination of preparatory activities for the ALFRED lead-cooled fast reactor demonstrator in Romania. RATEN ICN serves as manager for Authorization (LIC), Support Infrastructure Implementation (mP), Education & Training (E&T), and ALFRED as Major Project (MP) work packages. Eight expert groups operate within the consortium.
• SCK CEN BelgiummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Cooperation formalized in 2009 through a Memorandum of Understanding covering nuclear safety, research reactor infrastructure, Generation IV Reactors, radioactive waste management, and nuclear education and training.
• CEA France (Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008First bilateral collaboration agreement signed in 2008 on nuclear energy, radioactive waste and decommissioning. Second agreement signed February 28, 2018 on nuclear science and technology for peaceful purposes, with emphasis on Generation IV Reactors. Enables co-tutoring doctoral theses (funded by CEA) in reprocessing, lead corrosion, cement waste conditioning, and waste storage. FRAMATOME also supports co-tutoring theses.
• NEA-OECD (Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in NEA-OECD technical committees including CSNI (Committee on the Safety of Nuclear Installations), WGRISK, WGIAGE, WGAMA, WGHOF, WPNE, WPRS, CLAY CLUB, and expert groups including ARFEM, EGPRS, EGRTS, SALT CLUB, and CRC. RATEN specialists serve as national representatives in multiple committees.
• COG (CANDU Owners Group) CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration agreement covering areas of interest for CANDU 6 reactor operation. COG proposed new collaboration formula through joint R&D projects via OECD NEA in radioactive waste management and radiological emergency fields.
• KAERI South Korea (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement signed in 2006 for collaboration in nuclear fuels and nuclear safety.
• IUCN Dubna Russia (Joint Institute for Nuclear Research)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo cooperation protocols signed: Protocol 4725-4-18-20 (2018-2020) and Protocol 4422-4-15-17 (2015-2017).
• SNETP (Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean technology platform established September 2007 for R&D and innovation to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of second, third and fourth generation nuclear systems. RATEN participates as a national representative.
• ESNII (European Sustainable Nuclear Industry Initiative)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean initiative addressing demonstration of Generation IV fast neutron reactor technologies, supporting research infrastructure, fuel installations, and R&D. RATEN ICN participates through the ALFRED LFR project.
• NUGENIA (Alliance for Nuclear Generation II and III)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean alliance dedicated to R&D of nuclear fission technologies with focus on Generation II and III nuclear power plants.
• ETSON (European Technical Safety Organizations Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network established 2006 (independent legal entity since 2011) conducting technical safety assessment in support of national authorities and harmonizing safety assessment practices in Europe.
• EERA-JPNM (European Energy Research Alliance — Joint Programme on Nuclear Materials)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates European R&D toward development and qualification of innovative materials solutions to increase safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors, enabling GenIV system design.
• IGD-TP (Implementing Geological Disposal Technology Platform)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean platform dedicated to initiating and carrying out strategic initiatives for safe deep geological disposal of spent fuel, high-level waste, and long-lived radioactive waste.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute): South Korean national nuclear research institute with broad capabilities in reactor design, fuel, and safety research — formal cooperation partner since 2006 and a broad international peer covering the full nuclear R&D spectrum.
• CEA (Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives): France's national nuclear research commission with extensive capabilities across reactors, fuel, waste, and nuclear safety — a longstanding bilateral partner of RATEN ICN since 2008 and a broad incumbent covering the full nuclear value chain.
• IRSN (Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire): France's nuclear safety and radiation protection technical support organization — comparable in regulatory safety-analysis mandate and a technology partner providing ICARE-CATHARE and ASTEC codes to RATEN ICN.

Direct peers

• ATOMKI (Institute for Nuclear Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences): Hungarian nuclear research institute specializing in accelerator-based nuclear physics, ion beam analysis, and radiation research — comparable in regional positioning and academic/research mission within Central Europe.
• ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development): Italian national research body and FALCON consortium partner (along with ANSALDO Nucleare) jointly coordinating the ALFRED LFR demonstrator — the closest direct collaborator and a structurally comparable state research entity.
• JSI (Jožef Stefan Institute): Slovenian national research institute operating a TRIGA Mark II research reactor and providing irradiation, neutron activation analysis, and reactor physics services — directly comparable to RATEN ICN's TRIGA operations, PIE capabilities, and nuclear materials testing portfolio.
• SCK CEN (Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie / Centre d'Étude de l'Énergie Nucléaire): Belgian nuclear research center operating the BR2 research reactor, with a similar mandate in fuel/material irradiation, radioisotope production, waste management, and decommissioning R&D. SCK CEN is a natural counterpart to RATEN ICN with comparable IAEA ICERR-class capabilities and a long-standing cooperation agreement (2009).
• ÚJV Řež (Nuclear Research Institute Řež): Czech nuclear research institute operating research reactors and offering reactor physics, fuel cycle, waste management, and radiation protection services for the Czech VVER fleet — highly comparable in scope and Central-European regional context.
• NCBJ (National Centre for Nuclear Research, Poland): Polish national nuclear research center operating the MARIA research reactor, with capabilities in radioisotope production, material testing, and Gen IV (HTGR) research — a direct Eastern-European counterpart to RATEN ICN.

Regional players

• INRNE BAS (Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences): Bulgarian nuclear research institute historically operating research reactors and serving the Kozloduy NPP — a regional peer serving a neighboring country's CANDU/VVER fleet with similar services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-for-nuclear-research-pitesti-romania

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute for Nuclear Research Pitesti Romania