Technical University of Munich and BGZ Launch Joint Research Lab to Advance Nuclear Waste Storage Safety Solutions

Technical University of Munich and BGZ Launch Joint Research Lab to Advance Nuclear Waste Storage Safety Solutions

(IN BRIEF) The Technical University of Munich and BGZ have launched a joint research initiative at Campus Garching to advance the safety of interim storage and disposal of radioactive waste. With no final repository expected to be operational before existing storage licenses expire between 2034 and 2047, the collaboration aims to develop scientific solutions for extended storage. Combining BGZ’s operational expertise with TUM’s extensive research capabilities in nuclear science and engineering, the partnership will focus on generating robust data to support long-term safety assessments. The ARGUS research program will bring together researchers from both organizations to address key technical challenges, reinforcing Germany’s commitment to maintaining high nuclear safety standards.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 17-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Technical University of Munich and Gesellschaft für Zwischenlagerung (BGZ) have formalized a new research collaboration focused on advancing the safety of interim storage and long-term disposal of radioactive waste. The partnership was officially launched with the establishment of the Joint Lab BGZ at TUM’s Campus Garching.

BGZ, a federally owned organization responsible for operating interim storage facilities across Germany—including sites in Ahaus and Gorleben as well as locations at former nuclear power plants—has been addressing the growing challenge of managing radioactive materials. With current storage licenses set to expire between 2034 and 2047 and no operational final repository yet available for high-level radioactive waste, the need for extended interim storage solutions has become increasingly urgent.

To respond to this challenge, BGZ introduced a dedicated research program in 2022 aimed at strengthening the scientific basis for long-term storage safety. The organization has also maintained a research presence at the Garching campus since 2023. Through this new collaboration, BGZ and TUM will deepen their cooperation by combining infrastructure, expertise, and research capabilities to tackle key scientific and technical questions.

TUM brings extensive experience in nuclear science and engineering to the partnership. Its facilities include the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II), as well as advanced radiochemical laboratories equipped and licensed for handling nuclear materials. The university’s research spans nuclear and reactor engineering, reactor physics, nuclear chemistry, materials science, simulation, and data analysis, providing a comprehensive foundation for the joint work.

Under the collaboration, BGZ researchers will work alongside TUM scientists on a range of projects designed to improve understanding and safety in the storage of radioactive waste. The initiative, referred to as the ARGUS research cooperation, aims to generate robust scientific evidence to support long-term safety assessments.

Professor Gerhard Kramer, Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation at TUM, emphasized that nuclear safety remains a top priority in Germany and highlighted the importance of combining academic expertise with operational experience. Dr. Maik Stuke, head of BGZ.lab, described the collaboration as a natural progression of BGZ’s research efforts, noting that strong scientific foundations are essential for demonstrating the safety of extended interim storage.

The agreement between BGZ and TUM is initially set for a duration of five years, during which both partners will work closely to address the technical and regulatory challenges associated with radioactive waste management.

Further information and links

• Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II)
• TUM Chair of Nuclear Technology
• TUM Professorship of Applied Nuclear Technologies

Media Contact:

Corporate Communications Center
Ulrich Meyer
presse@tum.de

SOURCE: Technical University of Munich