WS Atkins : Atkins creates world leading nuclear services consultancy with acquisition of US nuclear business - 11 April 2016

News releases 2016

Atkins creates world leading nuclear services consultancy with acquisition of US nuclear business - 11 April 2016

• UK company creates world leader in nuclear engineering
• Combined UK and US know-how addressing key new build and decommissioning challenges worldwide
• Technology acquisition paves the way for expansion into China, Japan and North America
• Signature projects include high-profile DOE projects and clean up at Fukushima Daiichi
• Pushes UK nuclear expertise to forefront of growing global industry
• New business structure to capitalise on future developing markets including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

Atkins, the design, engineering and project management consultancy, has completed its acquisition of the Projects, Products and Technology (PP&T) segment of EnergySolutions after receiving the necessary North American regulatory approvals.

The acquisition strengthens Atkins' nuclear multidisciplinary capability to a 2,000-strong global team with bases in the UK, North America and China. This team can also draw on the experience of over 16,000 specialists from other sectors in Atkins. PP&T is an innovative 650-person nuclear business that delivers a wide range of technical engineering and programme management services for the decontamination and decommissioning of high hazard government nuclear facilities.

Chris Ball, managing director of Atkins' nuclear division in Europe, Middle East and Africa said: 'We have two formidable teams on either side of the Atlantic working on some of the most technically complex challenges across the full nuclear fuel cycle. Our industry leading team of experts and combined proven track record puts Atkins in the enviable position as one of the leading players in our industry.'

Mark Morant, president of Atkins' nuclear division in the Americas and Asia Pacific region added: 'Today marks a step change in what Atkins is able to offer clients - we have the capability to work on almost any project, anywhere in the world. Our technology portfolio offers extensive opportunity in established and new markets alike from North America to China. It is an extremely exciting period for the business and has already opened a number of doors to future opportunities around the world.'

• PP&T is a market leader in designing solutions for the treatment and stabilisation of high, intermediate and low level nuclear waste in North America. Its proven track record of executing large and complex projects provides Atkins with immediate access to Tier 1 (nuclear site management) government contracts for the management and decommissioning of nuclear sites in North America.
• PP&T has a strong presence in Asia Pacific, a large and fast-growing new build and decommissioning market. By leveraging its technology, reputation and relationships, Atkins is well positioned for future opportunities over the near to medium term in China and Japan.
• The acquisition enhances Atkins' market presence in the UK. PP&T's skills and capabilities, combined with its proven Tier 1 track record, will also serve to strengthen Atkins' positioning for future decommissioning opportunities across Europe.
• PP&T's highly specialised technologies are a differentiator for Atkins within the nuclear market.

Proven technologies for the treatment and stabilization of high, intermediate and low level nuclear waste include vitrification technology, waste water treatment and clean up. At the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station in Japan, PP&T have provided technology for the clean up of radioactivity contaminated water. Vitrification technology - the process of turning hazardous nuclear waste materials into glass - is a deployed technology at the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC and is currently being constructed at the Hanford Site in Richland, WA.

Atkins has acquired PP&T for an enterprise value of US$318m (£206 million) and will be funded through Atkins' existing cash resources and available committed bank facilities.

ENDS

WS Atkins plc issued this content on 11 April 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 11 April 2016 16:32:05 UTC

Original Document: http://www.atkinsglobal.com/en-GB/media-centre/news-releases/2016/apr/2016-04-11