BNFL is an international nuclear energy business that employs some 23,000 people in 16 countries, its activities span the entire nuclear energy cycle. That means everything from reactor design and fuel manufacture to power station decommissioning and clean-up.
BNFL has around a 12% share of the world nuclear market. The company aims to be trusted as a quality supplier and to deliver safe, environmentally sound and profitable nuclear services and products.
BNFL's long-term strategy is to provide safe, environmentally sound products and services to two main customer groups - Nuclear Utilities and Governments.
BNFL combines international reach with world-class services. Their operations span the entire nuclear energy cycle including;
Fuel manufacture, reactor design and services - BNFL is one of the dominant forces in this £2.5 billion a year marketplace.
Electricity generation - BNFL is responsible for power generation from the UK’s remaining operational Magnox stations.
Spent fuel services - BNFL is one of only two key players in the global market for the management and recycling of used reactor fuel.
Decommissioning and environmental services - BNFL is an international leader in decommissioning nuclear facilities and cleaning up the legacy of the Cold War.

BNFL through its Group Company British Nuclear Group manages six nuclear power stations, as well as one hydroelectric power station. They produce electricity for the wholesale electricity market in England and Wales, they know how long each of their nuclear power stations - called Magnox reactors (after the type of fuel used in them) - will be able to operate for. The last station will shut down in 2010.

Once established, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will assume ownership of all Magnox stations and BNFL will provide a management service to the new owner on an incentives basis.

BNFL's research and technology activities are carried out by a part of the company called Nuclear Sciences and Technology Services (NSTS).
NSTS has the benefit of unique facilities, knowledge of plant and operations and an unequalled breadth of experience. NSTS provides a cost effective, responsive and flexible service tailored to meet all customer requirements.

NSTS has around 1000 people at four locations. Its technical capabilities have developed substantially, they are:

Transport;
The safe transportation of nuclear materials is a crucial part of BNFL’s business. Since the early 1960s, they have covered more than16 million miles via road, rail and sea. Most importantly, there has not been any release of radioactivity in that time. To maintain this record, BNFL operates a fully integrated system for the transport of fuel and intermediate fuel products worldwide. One that is supported by recognised quality assurance systems.

Fuel Manufacture:
All nuclear fuel originates from uranium ore. However, there is more than one kind of nuclear power station. Each requires a different type of fuel, whose manufacture is operated by one of their subsidiary companies, Westinghouse Electric Company. It has the expertise developed over many years, as well as the facilities, to manufacture all these different types of fuels. BNFL make nuclear fuel at several locations around the world, primarily in the US, UK and Sweden. We also provide fuel assembly fabrication, zirconium alloy products, nuclear grade tubing, core components and other products and services for use in commercial nuclear power plants.

Spent Fuel Management:
Spent fuel is fuel that has already been used to generate electricity. BNFL provide a comprehensive range of spent fuel solutions to the UK and overseas customers.
One option available to customers is to reprocess the fuel. This is a chemical process for the recovery of around 97% of the used fuel, which consists of uranium and plutonium. It can then be recycled into new fuel. The remaining 3% is waste that is treated for safe storage. BNFL are one of only two companies in the world that can offer the technology to reprocess and recycle.

BNFL also:
Manufacture Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel from a mix of plutonium and uranium, transport nuclear materials, treat and store the wastes associated with the processes.