Outage 2026: Why the best FME solutions are born through dialogue with the teams. Foreign Material Exclusion (FME) is one of the most critical tasks during maintenance outages in nuclear power plants or large-scale research facilities. Just today, we received another urgent request to find a solution because a foreign object was lost. Those who cut corners here often end up paying many times over for the recovery process. An FME pool cover is far more than just a tarp – it is a functional interface between safety and an efficient workflow. Our approach always begins with an intensive dialogue with the teams on-site: 📍 Process Understanding over Standardization: Together with the executing technicians, we analyze which movements are performed and which tools are used. Only those who understand the physical workflows and logistical paths can develop a solution that protects reliably without causing an obstruction. 📍 Pneumatic Support Structures & Fastening: Depending on the requirements, we develop air-supported (inflatable) elements that are self-supporting, or solutions that are securely positioned via specialized tensioning systems. The goal is a stable barrier that is quick and safe to deploy, even in confined spaces. 📍 Material Selection by Demand: We select technical textiles based exactly on the required properties – whether the focus is on decontaminability, tear resistance, fire rating, halogen-free certification, chemical resistance, or other stringent specifications. 📍 The Goal: A Seamless Workflow. An FME solution is successful when it helps the team maintain high safety standards while ensuring that maintenance work stays on schedule. Safety in large-scale industry is created through active listening and technical craftsmanship. We are happy to support your projects where standard solutions end and real technical answers are required. 🤝🚀

⁉️ Why are air mattresses being thrown into the pool in the nuclear industry? Simple: FME Prevention 2.0. 🛡️ Anyone planning outages in nuclear power plants knows: space on the platform is limited, time windows are tight, and the requirements for Foreign Material Exclusion (FME) are uncompromising. Hand on heart: At first glance, our new pneumatic FME Pool Covers could pass for modular water toys. But behind the aesthetics lies engineering for high-security environments. Inside the zone, every movement and every minute of the outage counts. Rigid, heavy covers are often more of a hindrance than a help. Why our "air mattress principle" is the game changer for reactor pools: 🔹 Modular & Connectable: Individual segments can be brought in flexibly and precisely connected on-site to form a closed, versatile protective surface. 🔹 Lightweight instead of Heavy Lifting: Where cranes or large teams were previously required, minimal manpower is now sufficient. This saves time and reduces radiation dose exposure. 🔹 Uncompromising FME Safety: Despite their lightness, they provide stable protection against the entry of foreign objects. Safety doesn't have to be complicated and heavy. Sometimes the smartest solution is the one that adapts to the space – and not the other way around. Who wants to switch to "vacation mode" during handling in the next outage? 😉

Your process defines the design – not the catalog. A standard shelf is of little help when working under radiation protection conditions or in highly specialized FME zones. We provide equipment that is "thinking ahead"—developed in direct collaboration with nuclear power plant specialists. And the best part? Visually, we are almost in the league of USM Haller – just "on steroids" for heavy industry! 😉 The same aesthetic, but built for the toughest conditions and precisely adapted to operational standards. Industrial equipment must do more than just "be there." In large-scale industry, custom-made solutions are not a luxury—they are the foundation for efficient and safe operations.

The Power of Collaboration: Innovative FME Solutions for EDF Chinon 📌 The best solutions are born where the work actually happens. For operations within the FME zone, innovative workers from the EDF Chinon team, led by Laurent DAVID, approached us with a clear vision for a specific challenge. Together, we refined, tested, and transformed this idea into a field-proven product. ➡️ The result: A custom-engineered catchment shield. Functioning like an inverted umbrella, it is positioned directly beneath the workspace. Depending on the requirements, it can be equipped with integrated magnetic strips to specifically and securely capture falling metallic objects. 🌂 Not a design object – but a tool that delivers. Since the first prototype, the shield has undergone several iterations to meet diverse real-world conditions. Today, it is a highly sought-after, bespoke solution, manufactured precisely according to the specific needs of the task at hand. For us, this project exemplifies the essence of true collaboration: An idea, active listening, joint development, and the creation of solutions that are both effective and practical for daily operations.

The era of vinyl-wrapping argon cylinders in nuclear power plants is coming to an end. ☢️🚫 In Nuclear Power Plants (#NPP), the time-consuming process of vinyl-wrapping #Argon cylinders will soon be a thing of the past. Following a request to find a more efficient solution, we are proud to present our latest innovation. While traditional vinyl-wrapping takes nearly 7 minutes per cylinder, applying our reusable protective covers takes only 30 seconds—thanks to the integrated side closure system. The result? ✅ Significant time savings during critical path activities. ✅ Controlled radiological cleanliness by effectively containing potential contaminants. ✅ Enhanced worker safety during this sensitive operational step. These covers ensure secure transport between the Hot Workshop / Active Workshop and the Controlled Areas—and vice versa. A simple, field-proven solution designed to tangibly improve operational performance and FME standards. 👉 And you? Are you still "Team Vinyl"? Let’s discuss how to optimize your next outage!

Radiation Protection – A Playful Approach to Precision? ☢️🎮 How precisely can you actually operate inside a mobile, pneumatic glovebox? At the BUT Radioprotection et Sûreté Nucléaire (IUT La Ciotat), this was recently put to a playful but highly significant test. A "Connect Four" game was placed inside our pneumatic glovebox to evaluate the handling of small components using the integrated gloves. The result: Every token was positioned with absolute control and precision. This simple game provides clear evidence that even delicate, high-precision operations are easily achievable within the enclosure. What starts as a game proves in practice that our solution delivers both high precision and full containment. How do you secure a confined area quickly and precisely without using heavy equipment? When an intervention requires temporary and targeted shielding, the inflatable glovebox allows for 100% safe operation without endangering the environment or personnel. Have you already utilized such a solution for your specialized interventions? 🤝🚀

Successful delivery of two pneumatic tents, changing rooms, and showers to the SDIS Guadeloupe for the special unit USAR 971 – Unité de Sauvetage, d’Appui et de Recherche (Rescue, Support, and Search Unit). On-site, the teams identified several critical advantages that make a decisive difference during real-world operations: Extremely rapid inflation time Capability for autonomous inflation using compressed air cylinders Operational readiness guaranteed via hand pumps, ensuring full independence from power sources These solutions were specifically engineered for emergency response, robustness, and autonomy—serving teams that conduct complex rescue missions, often under the most challenging conditions. We extend our sincere thanks to the teams at SDIS Guadeloupe and the USAR 971 unit for their trust, their high technical standards, and the excellent collaboration throughout this project. We are proud to contribute in our own way to the operational readiness of the men and women who dedicate themselves every day to saving lives—both here and abroad.

At nuclear sites, preventing hashtag#FME risks (foreign material exclusion) is a critical priority. Even a single foreign object introduced into sensitive equipment can compromise safety, disrupt operations, or lead to significant intervention costs. That’s why we support maintenance teams with solutions tailored to each environment, including: 👉 protective nets to secure work areas 👉 shutters to isolate critical access points 👉 custom-made soft protective covers to prevent the intrusion of particles or tools Each solution is designed to reduce FME risk, simplify inspections, and preserve the integrity of the equipment

We’re kicking off the new year… and celebrating 10 years of our first pneumatic BR airlock! 🎈 The civilian nuclear industry is often seen as a space resistant to innovation. Yet experience shows: when there’s an opportunity to do things better — whether improving safety or operational performance — the teams on the ground are always open to it. The pneumatic airlock for the reactor building (BR), developed for and with EDF, is a perfect example. Ten years ago, it was designed, tested, and first deployed at the Saint-Laurent site in close collaboration with the then-MEEI service under Lara Baudin’s leadership. This year, it celebrates a decade of successful operation in the controlled zone. Why has it lasted so long? Because it fully meets real-world requirements: Rapid installation and quick deployment Low calorific value and reduced fire load Flexible structure that helps reduce seismic risks A decade later, what was once an innovation has become a widely adopted solution: it is now part of the national contract and deployed across all sites. A great example of what truly works: listen to real operational needs, innovate, and implement consistently. So, in that spirit: Happy B-Day to youuuu… 🎉

We received a wonderful surprise in the mail! Dear Nuklearforum Schweiz – Swiss Nuclear Forum team, thank you so much for the neck warmer and the thoughtful card. Of course, we are ready and already committed to actively shaping a sustainable energy future together with all stakeholders. We are excited to get involved and look forward to any exchange and collaboration. We wish you all relaxing holidays and a fantastic start to the new year. #GOgreenGOnuclear

Even large equipment can be easily protected from storage damage, while simplifying storage processes significantly. Take, for example, this implementation for storing steam generators. Each generator is protected at the base with a VCI film cover, and each also includes a diffuser inside. This allows the equipment to be safely stored for months without risk of damage. Do you have an idea how we could support you? Get in touch with us