Kobe Steel Takes Orders For Fukushima Cleanup

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Kobe Steel Ltd. (5406) said Thursday that Tokyo Electric Power Co. (9501) has ordered more than 10 billion yen in supplies and equipment for decommissioning ruined reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

The steelmaker will provide incinerating equipment for disposing of contaminated material, while a joint venture with French nuclear group Areva will supply metal casks for storing spent nuclear fuel.

The incinerating equipment is scheduled to begin operating in the second half of fiscal 2014. It will be able to burn about 14 tons a day of soiled protective clothing and other waste, reducing it to ash for storage in metal drums.

The 11 massive casks, meanwhile, will be used to hold some of the spent fuel at the plant temporarily and transport it to an as yet undetermined location.

(The Nikkei, March 1 morning edition)

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