Molybdenum-99
The isotope Mo-99 is an element used in the production of technetium-99m (Tc-99m). Tc-99m is used in research into a multitude of ailments. Roughly 85% of medical imaging in nuclear medicine uses this isotope (Tc-99m). Globally, this amounts to 17 million diagnostic procedures per year. Below is a selection of these.
Mo-99
The world’s largest producer of irradiated targets for Mo-99 production.
One location
Complete supply chain in one location, unique in Europe.
LEU
Europe’s only production process using low enriched uranium (LEU).
Which solutions does Mo-99 offer?
- Oncology
Research into and imaging of abnormalities in, for example, the kidneys, lymph nodes, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. - Cardiovascular diseases (cardiology)
Research into the blood flow of the heart muscle and lung circulation. - Bone examination
Investigating conditions with local increased bone activity. This could be metastasised cancer, but also bone fractures, inflammation or hormone-induced bone growth.
Irradiation knowledge and expertise
We are the world leader regarding the irradiation of Mo-99 targets. These are aluminum plates containing low enriched uranium. During irradiation of these plates in the reactor, uranium is split by so-called fission, a process in which molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) is formed. Our customers then extract the Mo-99 from the targets with a chemical process. Ultimately, hospitals will receive so-called generators for technetium-99m (Tc-99m), which is derived from Mo-99, an important raw material for medical research.
Furthermore, we have a unique infrastructure in Petten. The site is located conveniently near international transportation routes. Our clients have an international nuclear pharmaceutical network with thousands of hospitals in about 100 countries. This is how medical isotopes produced in Petten find their way to 30.000 (cancer)patients every day.
Molybdenum Production Facility (MPF)
- One of the world’s largest radio-chemical production facilities for nuclear medicine
- Optimal removal of uranium and other residual products, which relieves Curium.
- Management and licensing by NRG PALLAS; Curium carries out the separation process that extracts the Mo-99
Production of molybdenum-99 with low enriched uranium (LEU)
- The first site in Europe using only LEU for the production of Mo-99
- Complex, time consuming project executed in cooperation with business partner Curium
- NRG PALLAS and Curium satisfy the requirements to meet with the non-proliferation promise, which was done to Barack Obama
Production of xenon-133 (Xe-133) with low enriched uranium
- Radioactive Xe-133 is derived from Mo-99 during production
- Xe-133 is used for examination of long functions and cerebral blood flow
- Complex, time consuming project executed in cooperation with business partner Curium
Other products
Lutetium - 177
Yttrium - 90
Iridium - 192
Terbium - 161
