The Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC, part of Rosatom’s fuel division) has commissioned new electrolyzers for fluorine production at its sublimation plant in Seversk. Electrolyzers are devices that use electricity to extract fluorine gas from other compounds, a process crucial for producing uranium hexafluoride—a chemical form of uranium that can be enriched and later used to make nuclear fuel. This development is a key milestone in a series of projects to modernize and expand SCC’s uranium conversion capacity.
Fluorine production is essential because it is used to create uranium hexafluoride, the main raw material required for uranium enrichment and subsequent fuel fabrication for nuclear power plants. By increasing its ability to produce fluorine, the Siberian Chemical Combine can boost its uranium conversion volume. The newly installed equipment was manufactured by Tomsk-based companies, including businesses located in the Seversk Advanced Development Area. These upgrades not only enhance SCC’s production capabilities but also contribute to Russia’s energy independence and reinforce the country’s standing in the global nuclear fuel market.
“At the same time, we are modernizing other sections of the uranium hexafluoride production process,” the plant reported. The sublimation plant, operational since 1954, remains Russia’s only producer of this strategic raw material. In 2024, 12 new electrolyzers were installed to further strengthen production. These advancements mark a significant step forward in modernizing Russia’s nuclear fuel production infrastructure and supporting regional economic development.
