ECM in the nuclear field...

Grenoble, France, July 18, 2008.

The ECM group has announced that its subsidiary, Furnaces Nuclear Application Grenoble SAS (FNAG) has just been awarded a SHAW AREVA MOX SERVICES contract for the
detailed design of an installation comprising two vacuum sintering furnaces for the production of the fuel known as MOX (Mixed Oxide).

After 6 years of research and development, 50% owned by ECM, FNAG's success confirms its committed involvement in the fuel recycling process industry. This success is based on highly sophisticated technical expertise developed since 1995 by ECM which has, in particular, delivered a MOX fuel sintering furnace and equipment to the MELOX works.

FNAG is presently working on the design for the production phase which specifically includes the production, qualification trials and commissioning of these 2 high technology furnaces on the Savannah River Site, at Aiken, in South Carolina. The MFFF (Mox Fuel Fabrication Facility) has been designed for the reprocessing of 34 tonnes of plutonium resulting from the dismantling of American nuclear weapons, so that it can be used as a fuel for civil nuclear power stations. This stock plutonium will take approximately 15 years to process.

About ECM

Founded in 1928 by the Ugine group, ECM is currently the French leader and one of the main international actors in the design and construction of thermal treatment furnaces and installations for the Automotive, Aeronautics, Nuclear, Electronics, Armament and Photovoltaic industries.

During the 90's, ECM developed a revolutionary low pressure case-hardening process called « Infracarb® » implemented through « ICBP® » heat treatment furnaces. This process,  currently used throughout the world by the main automotive manufacturers and their subcontractors has contributed to ECM's high international profile.

With its sales network and high performance after sales service, relying on 3 subsidiaries ECM Japan, ECM USA and ECM China), ECM can guarantee the highest level of
satisfaction throughout all the industrialized areas of the world. Based on this experience, the ECM group has also developed a range of products and processes that sets it apart in high growth fields such as Aeronautics, Photovoltaic and Nuclear industries.

ECM

46 rue Jean Vaujany - TECHNISUD - 38029 GRENOBLE CEDEX 2 - France
Contact : ecm@ecm-ip.com
Tel.+33 4 76 49 65 60

Fax. +33 4 38 49 04 03