Lucideon and Cavendish Nuclear Sign MoU to Advance Nuclear Waste Management with MIDAR® Geopolymer Technology

Wednesday, 3 December 2025

A new partnership between Lucideon and Cavendish Nuclear, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group, has been launched, to address complex decommissioning challenges.
The companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring together Cavendish Nuclear’s engineering expertise in nuclear decommissioning and environmental clean-up works, combined with Lucideon’s MIDAR® geopolymer technology.

The new framework will jointly explore global challenges that would benefit from MIDAR® geopolymer solutions, with an initial focus on nuclear waste management and decommissioning in the Japanese market.

Cavendish Nuclear’s collaboration with Lucideon demonstrates its commitment to working with SMEs to accelerate innovation across the nuclear industry. Through this partnership Lucideon’s MIDAR® technology, which combines a unique blend of research, materials science and formulation technologies, will deliver innovative solutions for the sector.
Recent investments at Lucideon have enhanced its ability to trial and evaluate novel cements and MIDAR® technology at scale, providing the nuclear industry with end-to-end support from formulation development and optimisation through to 1000 litre batch trials.

Of particular note is Lucideon’s MALLETTM system (MIDAR®-Augmented Lower-cost Lower-carbon Encapsulation Technology) a new lower cost, lower carbon technique, which enables nuclear waste owners to process waste oils, graphite, zeolites, sludges, and ashes into a passive waste matrix that maximises waste loading and minimises overall waste disposal volumes.
Previous development and trials undertaken by Lucideon demonstrate the potential for MALLETTM to encapsulate and stabilise radioactive wastes, offering robust performance, durability and environmental benefits.

Tim Abbott, Director of Commerce – Advanced Materials at Lucideon, said: “By combining Lucideon materials science expertise and MIDAR® technology with Cavendish Nuclear’s proven track record in nuclear engineering and project delivery, we are creating a powerful partnership to address some of the most complex waste management and decommissioning challenges in Japan and beyond.”
Andrew Peach, International Senior Business Manager at Cavendish Nuclear, said:
“Decommissioning is a vital part of our industry’s responsibility to ensure the safe and sustainable management of the nuclear legacy. Through this partnership, we are proud to champion new innovations by combining cutting-edge materials technology with our deep nuclear expertise and engineering know-how. This collaboration strengthens how we deliver complex decommissioning programmes, including important projects overseas in Japan.”

ENDS

About Lucideon
Lucideon is a materials science consultancy, solving its clients’ most complex challenges through materials development, process optimisation, and characterisation. Its application of cross-industry insight, materials science expertise, and innovative thinking allows industry to develop and implement disruptive technology platforms, providing cost and/or product performance benefits and enabling real market differentiation. It utilises its many years of experience in development, analysis, and assurance to provide technical consultancy to enable, enhance, and accelerate its clients’ R&D activities. In addition to a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and commercial analysts, Lucideon has world-leading testing and characterisation laboratories, a combination of pilot and feasibility plant and equipment, and a management and certification division. Lucideon has offices and approved laboratories in both North and South Carolina, as well as New York State, and Staffordshire and Cambridge in the UK.

About Cavendish Nuclear
Cavendish Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group, is a driving force behind the UK’s nuclear transformation. With a bold vision and unmatched expertise, Cavendish Nuclear delivers critical nuclear solutions across the nuclear lifecycle, both at home and internationally.
From dismantling legacy nuclear sites to enabling the next generation of clean energy, Cavendish Nuclear is shaping a future where nuclear power safeguards national security, ensures energy resilience, and accelerates the journey to net zero. As the UK targets carbon neutrality by 2050, Cavendish Nuclear is at the forefront—supporting existing reactors, building new infrastructure, and pioneering advanced nuclear technologies.

Cavendish Nuclear leads the way in complex engineering integration, offering end-to-end solutions that span the full lifecycle of nuclear infrastructure. With deep-rooted capability and a proven track record, the company delivers innovative, in-house solutions that meet the evolving needs of both UK and global partners.