INSTYTUT CHEMII I TECHNIKI JADROWEJ

Their core work

The Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (ICHTJ) in Warsaw is Poland's leading research centre for nuclear chemistry, radiation technology, and radioactive waste management. They develop methods for safe handling, characterization, and disposal of nuclear waste, study ageing and degradation of materials used in nuclear power plants (especially polymer cables), and contribute to next-generation particle accelerator technologies. Their applied work spans radiation safety, nuclear fuel cycle chemistry, and non-destructive testing techniques for nuclear infrastructure.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

All six projects started between 2017 and 2021, so the institute entered H2020 in a concentrated burst rather than gradually. Early entries (2017) covered a broad nuclear portfolio — accelerators (ARIES), waste characterization (CHANCE), fuel recycling (GENIORS), and cable ageing (TeaM Cables). The later projects (2019-2021) show a sharpening focus on two pillars: radioactive waste disposal (EURAD) and advanced accelerator innovation (I.FAST), suggesting the institute is consolidating around its strongest competencies rather than diversifying further.

ICHTJ is converging on two strategic tracks — long-term nuclear waste solutions and next-generation accelerator technologies — making them a strong partner for upcoming Euratom and large-scale physics infrastructure calls.

How they like to work

ICHTJ operates exclusively as a participant, never as coordinator, which positions them as a reliable specialist contributor that large consortia can count on for specific nuclear chemistry and radiation expertise. With 192 unique partners across 30 countries from just 6 projects, they participate in very large European consortia (averaging 32+ partners per project). This pattern suggests they are well-integrated in the European nuclear research community and comfortable working within major joint programmes and infrastructure networks.

Despite only 6 projects, ICHTJ has collaborated with 192 unique partners across 30 countries, reflecting their membership in Europe's largest nuclear research consortia and joint programmes. Their network spans virtually all EU member states with strong ties to the pan-European nuclear and accelerator research communities.

What sets them apart

ICHTJ combines nuclear chemistry expertise with radiation technology and materials science — a rare intersection that lets them contribute to both waste management and accelerator development within the same institute. As Poland's primary nuclear chemistry research centre, they bring Central European perspective and infrastructure to consortia often dominated by Western European nuclear powerhouses. For consortium builders, they offer deep technical competence in radiochemistry and polymer degradation analysis without the overhead of coordinating a large institution.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ARIES
  Largest single grant (EUR 157K) and part of a flagship European accelerator research programme connecting CERN-level physics infrastructure with broader scientific applications.
• TeaM Cables
  Highly applied project combining multi-scale physics, polymer science, and non-destructive testing to solve a concrete industrial problem — ageing cables in operating nuclear power plants.
• EURAD
  Part of the European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management — one of the most strategically important Euratom initiatives for long-term nuclear safety across Europe.