IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 – First Announcement
14/03/2025
Save the date!
We are delighted to announce that the IGD-TP will hold its 10th international Exchange Forum on research and development (R&D) challenges in geological disposal programmes for radioactive waste. Hosted by SÚRAO in November 2025, the event is open to all IGD-TP members and stakeholders interested in geological disposal of radioactive waste.
Geological disposal projects are first-of-a-kind projects, span several decades, and are multi-billion endeavours. National waste management organisations (WMOs) are at different stages on the path to implementing geological disposal and each stage (site selection and investigation, licensing, construction and operation) has particular challenges. The national WMOs will share R&D challenges that each is facing in their current activities and how these are being approached. The Exchange Forum is an opportunity to share lessons learnt and to discuss future research plans.
Our 10th Exchange Forum provides an excellent opportunity to:
- Discuss new issues and the status of WMO programmes.
- Discover emerging geological disposal R&D.
- Explore the potential for collaborative research with IGD-TP members and the broader radioactive waste community.
- Take advantage of great networking opportunities.
- Visit research and disposal facilities in the Czech Republic.
- Experience the wonderful city of Prague.
You can find out more information in the first announcement and on the dedicated IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 webpage. We look forward to seeing you there!
Related Documents
IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 – First Announcement
Description: IGD-TP Exchange Forum 2025 - First Announcement (14 March 2025)
Last updated: March 14, 2025
IGD-TP Members Participating in the Activity
Nagra
Member of Executive Group
Nationale Genossenschaft für die Lagerung radioaktiver Abfälle
Contact: Irina Gaus Send message
ANDRA
Member of Executive Group
Agence Nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs
The French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency.
Contact: Stephan Schumacher Send message
BGE (Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH)
Member of Executive Group
The German national waste management organisation.
Contact: Astrid Göbel Send message
COVRA
Member of Executive Group
Centrale Organisatie Voor Radioactief Afval
Contact: Ewoud Verhoef Send message
ONDRAF/NIRAS
Member of Executive Group
The Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials
Contact: Maarten Van Geet Send message
Posiva Oy
Member of Executive Group
Nuclear Waste Management Expert
Contact: Petteri Vuorio Send message
Contact: Johanna Hansen Send message
PURAM
Member of Executive Group
Public Limited Company for Radioactive Waste Management
Contact: Bálint Nős Send message
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) [Previously RWM]
Member of Executive Group
Nuclear Waste Services (changed from Radioactive Waste Management Limited in 2022)
Contact: Jonathan Martin Send message
SÚRAO
Member of Executive Group
Správa úložišť radioaktivních odpadů
Radioactive Waste Repository Authority, Czechia
Contact: Lukáš Vondrovic Send message
Contact: Markéta Dohnálková Send message
Related Research Areas
Key Topic 1: Post-closure Safety Case
Research in this area aims to consider how consistent safety cases across the different waste management programmes can be developed, how safety assessment concepts and models can be developed and refined, and how sensitivity and uncertainty treatment can be improved.
Key Topic 2: Wasteforms and their Behaviour
This research aims to improve understanding of the behaviour of various wastes in geological disposal facilities in order to better quantify the processes controlling radionuclide, chemical and gas release from waste forms, to improve the quality of models used in safety assessments and to adequately define the types and magnitudes of uncertainties associated with various processes.
Key Topic 3: Technical Feasibility and Long-term Performance
This research area involves demonstrating and optimising technology and construction of a repository and its components, including confirming a feasible and safe operational phase and ensuring that the required safety functions are provided in the long-term after repository closure.
Key Topic 4: Implementation and Optimisation
This research area deals with the integration of new developments during the lifetime of a geological repository.
Key Topic 5: Construction and Operational Safety
This research area is concerned with the protection of operators and members of the public that might possibly be affected by construction and operations in or at geological disposal facilities.
Key Topic 6: Monitoring
Monitoring research includes practical monitoring technologies and techniques, as well as monitoring strategies and programmes.
Key Topic 7: Methodologies for Site Characterisation
This research area focuses on R&D activities that are essential for site characterisation to identify gaps and needs related to this topic. The topic is linked to exploration and investigation programmes, site information, data management and syntheses for the purpose of iterative safety assessments.
Key Topic 8: Strategy for Repository Project Development
This research area concerns issues surrounding the movement from a disposal concept, to an established project, through to facility siting and operation, both in national and multi-national projects.
Key Topic 9: Knowledge Management
The management of knowledge in repository development is one of the major challenges over the lifetime of a waste management programme. It covers all data and information and in particular the basis of the decisions made, which is a major requirement for the creation and preservation of knowledge related to openness, traceability and transparency.
Other IGD-TP Activities
The area summarises the projects and activities that do not sit within the specific research areas discussed elsewhere on this site.