ETC’s history

ETC was founded in 2003, and in 2006 it became a joint venture between Urenco and Orano. But the technology that we develop has been around for much longer. Use the timeline below to investigate the significant events of our history.

1964

Jülich site established as state-owned company gkt

1967

First cascade is operated with 14 centrifuges

1969

Dutch ucn company starts work at almelo. Uranit company is formed at jülich.

1970

The treaty of almelo paves the way for nuclear collaboration between 3 european countries: germany, united kingdom and the netherlands

1977

Carbon fibre is first explored as a working material for centrifuges. This led to one of the first major industrial uses of carbon fibre worldwide

1985

Production starts at plant in gronau in Germany

1992

Treaty of washington permits urenco to establish an enrichment plant in the USA

1993

Companies from the united kingdom, the netherlands and germany merge to form urenco group

2003

Cooperation between urenco and areva in the field of centrifuge technology. ETC is launched as a subsidiary of urenco

2006

ETC confirmed as joint venture by orano (then called areva) becoming an equal shareholder. Treaty of cardiff adds france to the signatories of the earlier treaty of almelo

2007

As work begins on the two new enrichment plant projects at tricastin, france and eunice, new mexico, usa, ETC's production targets expand significantly to meet project demand

2012

Business transformation planning begins, to manage drop in global demand for future enrichment capacity

2013

ETC establishes subsidiaries, to develop commercial opportunities outside core nuclear expertise

2017

ETC commissions the final cascade at the george besse ii (gbii) project, orano’s enrichment facility in tricastin, france

2018

ETC enrichment project at eunice, usa is completed

TODAY

As global interest in nuclear energy grows, etc continues to curate and develop the world’s leading uranium enrichment technology. From contributing through our subsidiaries, Pronexos, Stornetic and NPROXX, to the application of advanced technology and skilled manufacturing, we are committed to the continuing supply of low-carbon energy for the future.

ETC’s history
1964
1967
1969
1970
1977
1985
1992
1993
2003
2006
2007
2012
2013
2017
2018
TODAY