Wedoany.com Report-Jul. 5, The UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has launched a collaborative project, Auto-SAS, to deploy advanced robotic technology for sorting and segregating radioactive waste at the former Oldbury nuclear power plant. The initiative, announced in June 2025, involves AtkinsRéalis and Createc, operating as ARCTEC, leveraging their expertise in automated systems and robotics. The NDA will invest up to £9.5 million (US$13 million) over four years, working with Nuclear Restoration Services, Sellafield Ltd, and Nuclear Waste Services.

The Auto-SAS project aims to enhance efficiency in waste management by using robotics to categorize radioactive waste accurately. Traditionally, manual sorting of mixed waste is hazardous and complex, often leading to all waste being classified as intermediate-level or plutonium-contaminated material. The ARCTEC system employs sensors and robotic manipulators to sort waste into appropriate categories, reducing reliance on costly disposal methods and minimizing human exposure to hazardous environments. This also allows workers to develop new technical skills.

The NDA stated: “The NDA and its operating companies recognise that robotics and automation have a key role to play in reducing the time, cost and risk associated with our decommissioning mission. Auto-SAS aims to push the boundaries of robotic systems in the NDA group, acting as a stepping-stone to the routine use of autonomous systems and continuous operations.” The project is expected to set a precedent for future robotic applications across NDA sites, including Sellafield.

The initiative is divided into two phases. Phase 1, running from June 2025 to August 2027, will develop a fully operational system in an inactive environment. Phase 2 will demonstrate the system’s active use at Oldbury, sorting low-level waste from intermediate-level waste retrieved from the site’s vaults, which date back to the power station’s operational period. Melanie Brownridge, NDA Chief R&D Officer, commented: “This is a hugely exciting project for us, using robotics to autonomously sort and categorise waste, and has the potential to save hundreds of millions of pounds in waste storage and disposal costs. It’s a great example of collaboration across the NDA group and supply chain to develop transformative solutions to decommissioning challenges which enable us to deliver our mission safely and efficiently.”

By implementing innovative technology, the Auto-SAS project aims to streamline decommissioning processes at Oldbury, located in the UK, while reducing costs and enhancing safety. Lessons learned will inform similar efforts at other NDA sites, contributing to sustainable and efficient nuclear waste management practices across the region.