An important part of collaboration is the exchange of research results, as this allows us to compare methods of calculation and analysis, and to thoroughly discuss and evaluate results. Collaboration also enables us to make better use of our resources and to hire the foremost experts in various fields.
To enhance the international cooperation an European technology platform (IGD-TP) has been launched. Its vision is that by 2025 the first geological disposal facilities for spent fuel, highlevel waste, and other long-lived radioactive waste will be operating safely in Europe. The platform currently involves eleven waste management organisations and in addition 58 participants from industry, research organisations, research centres, academia, technical safety organisations and
non-governmental organisations in Europe.
International cooperation – general
SKB currently has cooperation with organisations from among others Finland, Japan, Canada, Switzerland, Spain, Great Britain, Germany and the USA. Exchange of information is done through e.g. reports, results of investigations and other technical and scientific documentation. Seminars, conferences and other meetings and visits to each other's facilities, as well as staff exchanges, are also a part of our cooperation.
Cooperation with the Finnish company Posiva
Finland's equivalent to SKB is called Posiva. Sweden and Finland have similar programmes for handling and disposal of spent nuclear fuel, and we are thus cooperating on a broad scale.
Cooperation at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory
A number of organisations from other countries are cooperating in research and development work at Äspö Hard Rock laboratory (HRL) in Oskarshamn. This work is regulated in various types of technical agreements, whereby each organisation contributes its own expertise. Apart from Posiva, the following organisations are currently involved in the cooperation: Andra (France), BMWi (Germany), NWMO (Canada), JAEA (Japan), Criepi (Japan), Rawra (Czech Republic) and Nagra (Switzerland).
The possibility for international organisations to perform their own experiments in Äspö will in the future be increased.