Radioactive Waste Management System Global Market Report 2025

The radioactive waste management system market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $3.28 billion in 2024 to $3.37 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing nuclear energy generation, growing use of radioactive materials in medicine, rising regulatory oversight on nuclear waste, increasing production of nuclear weapons during the cold war, and growing public concern over environmental risks.

The radioactive waste management system market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.82 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising number of nuclear reactor decommissioning projects, increasing reliance on nuclear energy for low-carbon goals, growing enforcement of international waste management standards, increasing volume of radioactive medical waste, and rising emphasis on long-term environmental protection. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in waste containment technologies, development of deep geological repositories, investment in research and development, innovation in radioactive waste recycling methods, and advancement of robotic systems for waste handling.

The forecast of 3.1% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projectiont. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This sector may face delays in facility upgrades due to tariffs on specialized containment units, radiation shielding materials, and robotic handling equipment, many of which are imported under strict quality standards. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth of the radioactive waste management system market is expected to be driven by the expansion of nuclear power generation in the coming years. Nuclear power generation involves producing electricity by harnessing energy released from nuclear reactions, typically through the fission of uranium or plutonium atoms within a nuclear reactor. This expansion is motivated by the demand for low-carbon energy sources to address climate change while providing reliable and large-scale electricity. Radioactive waste management systems play a critical role in supporting nuclear power generation by ensuring safe disposal, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection, which are essential for continuous operation and sustainable energy production. For example, according to the World Nuclear Association, a UK-based non-profit trade association, UK nuclear plants generated 2,602 TWh (terawatt-hours) of electricity in 2023, up from 2,545 TWh in 2022. Consequently, the growth of nuclear power generation is fostering the development of the radioactive waste management system market.

Key players in the radioactive waste management systems market are focusing on technological advancements aimed at enhancing nuclear and radiation safety to improve waste handling, boost regulatory compliance, and promote sustainable nuclear energy practices. Nuclear and radiation safety encompasses the regulations, practices, and technologies designed to protect people, the environment, and infrastructure from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. For instance, in July 2023, TVEL, a Russia-based nuclear power company, initiated the decommissioning of a radioactive waste storage facility at the Ural Electrochemical Plant (UEIP), marking an important step toward improved environmental safety and adherence to nuclear regulations. This advanced radioactive waste management system incorporates cutting-edge containment, monitoring, and decommissioning technologies to ensure safe storage, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.

In December 2024, Veolia Nuclear Solutions Inc., a UK-based company providing solutions for the nuclear industry, acquired Daher Nuclear Technologies for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to bolster Veolia Nuclear Solutions’ position in the nuclear waste management sector and expand its portfolio with advanced technologies focused on nuclear decommissioning and waste treatment. Daher Nuclear Technologies GmbH is a Germany-based firm specializing in radioactive waste management systems.

A radioactive waste management system is a comprehensive setup designed to securely control and contain radioactive materials from their point of generation through to their final disposal. This system employs specialized technologies and protocols to isolate hazardous waste based on its type, radioactivity level, and lifespan, ensuring long-term protection of human health and the environment.

The primary categories of radioactive waste management include low-level waste, intermediate-level waste, and high-level waste. Low-level waste contains minimal radioactivity and typically does not require shielding during handling or transport. Management technologies for this waste include geological disposal, surface disposal, vitrification, incineration, compaction, encapsulation, and others. These systems are applied across various sectors such as nuclear power generation, defense, and research.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a notable impact on the utilities sector, particularly across power generation, grid modernization, and renewable energy initiatives. Increased duties on imported equipment such as turbines, transformers, solar panels, and battery storage systems are driving up both capital and operational expenses for utility companies, prompting many to delay projects or pass higher costs on to consumers through increased energy rates. The water and waste management sectors are similarly affected, as tariffs inflate the cost of essential machinery, piping, and treatment technologies. Moreover, retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners have disrupted the supply of critical raw materials - such as rare earth elements vital for clean energy technologies - posing further challenges to the shift toward sustainable energy. In response, the sector is increasingly focusing on domestic procurement, digital transformation, and efficiency-enhancing innovations to control rising costs while safeguarding energy reliability and meeting regulatory demands.

The radioactive waste management system market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides radioactive waste management system market statistics, including the radioactive waste management system industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the radioactive waste management system market share, detailed radioactive waste management system market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the radioactive waste management system industry. This radioactive waste management system market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Major players in the radioactive waste management system market are RWE Npower Renewables, Bechtel Corporation, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Fluor Corporation, AECOM Technology Corporation, Fortum Corporation, Orano SA, Clean Harbors Inc., Veolia North America LLC., GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH), Holtec International Inc., EnergySolutions LLC, Kinectrics Inc., Westinghouse Electric Company LLC., Società Gestione Impianti Nucleari S.p.A., Nuvia Ltd., Studsvik AB, Tractebel Engineering Private Limited, Perma-Fix Environmental Services Inc., ADCO Environmental Services LLC.

North America was the largest region in the radioactive waste management system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in radioactive waste management system report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the radioactive waste management system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The radioactive waste management system market consists of revenues earned by entities through the waste disposal, radiation shielding, long-term storage, and decommissioning of radioactive materials. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The radioactive waste management system market also includes sales of containment systems, radiation detection equipment, and protective barriers for waste handling and storage. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in usd, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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