Urenco Isotopes Collaborates on EMIS Test Facility to Strengthen Europe's Enriched Lanthanide Isotope Supply Chain

On July 28, 2026, Urenco Isotopes announced a collaboration with RI Research Instruments to advance the construction of a dedicated Electromagnetic Isotope Separation (EMIS) test facility, aiming to strengthen the future European supply chain for enriched lanthanide elements and meet the growing demand for high-purity stable isotopes in scientific research and potential medical isotope applications.

Lanthanides are rare earth metals, and their isotopes may be used in the future for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Currently, reliable sources of high-purity lanthanide stable isotopes remain limited, with the supply chain concentrated among a few producers, and Europe's local supply capacity is relatively insufficient.

Under the collaboration arrangement, RI Research Instruments will participate in the construction of this EMIS test facility. The facility is designed for specific lanthanide isotopes, aiming to achieve high isotopic enrichment and high-quality product preparation, providing support for subsequent technology development, product evaluation, and market research.

Christian Wies, Head of Research and Development at Urenco Isotopes, stated that the company is assessing how its enrichment technology expertise can serve customers and respond to emerging market demands. Developing EMIS capabilities for specific lanthanide elements will help expand the technology portfolio and explore application areas where demand may grow in the future. He also noted that the project not only focuses on lanthanide elements themselves but will also help the company accumulate EMIS technical knowledge and experience, laying the foundation for evaluating other isotope development opportunities in the future.

Currently, the EMIS test facility is being commissioned. According to the plan, initial EMIS capabilities are expected to be operational by 2027.