TECNATOM S.A.

Their core work

Tecnatom is a Spanish engineering company specializing in nuclear plant inspection, safety assessment, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technologies. They provide technical services for the safe operation and life extension of nuclear reactors, including structural integrity analysis, radiation damage assessment, and advanced inspection systems. More recently, they have expanded into nuclear decommissioning and dismantling, applying laser-based cutting and remote technologies. They also contribute to nuclear education and workforce training across Europe.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2017), Tecnatom balanced nuclear workforce training (CORONA II, ANNETTE with ECVET mobility frameworks) with advanced manufacturing inspection (ComMUnion's composite joining, CRO-INSPECT's robotic inspection). From 2017 onward, the focus shifted decisively toward nuclear end-of-life challenges: reactor pressure vessel integrity under long-term operation (APAL, ATLASplus), radiation damage assessment (NOMAD), and active decommissioning with laser dismantling (LD-SAFE) and graphite reactor tools (INNO4GRAPH). The trajectory shows a company repositioning from inspection-during-operation to the full lifecycle including decommissioning.

Tecnatom is building deep capability in nuclear decommissioning and end-of-life safety assessment — positioning them as a key partner as Europe's ageing reactor fleet faces shutdown and dismantling decisions.

How they like to work

Tecnatom operates exclusively as a participant, never leading projects as coordinator, which positions them as a reliable specialist contributor that larger consortia bring in for specific technical capabilities. With 114 unique partners across 23 countries, they maintain a very broad European network rather than relying on a small circle of repeat collaborators. Their moderate funding shares (averaging EUR 140K per project) suggest they contribute focused technical work packages rather than driving overall project direction.

Tecnatom has built an extensive network of 114 unique partners across 23 countries, indicating strong reach across the European nuclear research and industrial community. Their partnerships span both nuclear-specific institutions and broader manufacturing/inspection organizations.

What sets them apart

Tecnatom brings a rare combination: deep nuclear inspection and NDE expertise coupled with hands-on decommissioning technology development, all from a private-sector engineering perspective rather than an academic one. Unlike research institutes that study reactor safety theoretically, Tecnatom delivers operational inspection services and has direct experience with the practical challenges of reactor ageing. Their dual focus on both extending reactor life (safety assessment) and ending it (dismantling) makes them uniquely valuable for any consortium addressing Europe's nuclear fleet lifecycle.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LD-SAFE
  Their largest H2020 project (EUR 339K) and a strong indicator of strategic direction — laser-based reactor dismantling with environmental and safety assessment.
• APAL
  Second-largest funding (EUR 227K), focused on advanced pressurized thermal shock analysis for reactor life extension — a critical safety topic as reactors age beyond original design life.
• NOMAD
  Develops practical NDE tools for detecting radiation-induced material degradation in operating reactors — directly at the intersection of Tecnatom's inspection heritage and nuclear safety mission.