Based in the North West of England, Arvia Technology is a developer of highly innovative waste treatment solutions for the nuclear decommissioning industry.

A New Solution

Frontier PR was briefed that Arvia Technology had commenced a full scale commercial trial with Magnox Ltd, adapting its award-winning technology to treat intermediate level radioactive oily waste in a bespoke treatment unit– the Arvia Titan.

A persistent problem for Magnox and the UK nuclear decommissioning industry at large, radioactive oily waste was classified as ‘orphan waste’, i.e. a waste stream with ”no identified practical disposal method,” so any new solution represented an innovation ‘first’.

Arvia Technology CEO Martin Keighley explains the challenge: “Gaining a first commercial trial for the Arvia Titan was a huge moment for the company as it represented what we hoped would be a big step to wider industry adoption.

“Once it became clear that the trial was progressing well we recognised we needed an appropriate vehicle for ‘getting the message out’ to key industry stakeholders and decision makers.”

Martin continues: “The challenge would be to do it in a way that satisfied all those involved, whilst still communicating all the potential commercial, technical, safety and sustainability benefits.”

Solution

Frontier PR’s MD David Innes-Edwards explained the approach taken: “The UK nuclear decommissioning industry is a unique and complicated amalgamation of government regulators, multinational companies, site management companies and contractors (such as Arvia).

“We quickly recognised that the most credible way to deliver the Arvia success story so far was in conjunction with Magnox – an industry heavyweight that was in essence ‘sponsoring’ the development of the technology.

“What was needed was a joint Arvia/Magnox whitepaper-style report that could communicate the value of the solution to a broad range of industry stakeholders and promote the high levels of innovation being displayed by both companies”.

Working closely with Arvia and Magnox’s corporate and technical teams, Frontier PR developed a core ‘text’ that communicated the key technical elements of the solution whilst also emphasising all the various benefits.

Benefits

“We were delighted with Frontier PR’s contribution because the report represented a win for Arvia on two main levels”, explains Martin. “Firstly, and most importantly, it positioned the Arvia and Magnox brands side-by-side, which for Arvia, a company striving to build a bigger presence in the nuclear decommissioning industry, was very significant. Secondly, it publicly set out the massive potential of this technology both for Magnox and the industry as a whole.”

Martin continues: “The report also provided important material for much of Arvia’s subsequent marketing and public relations – including website content and a feature case study in the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency’s Insight Magazine.

“Managing such a large amount of information and number of contributors was not an easy challenge, but Frontier PR managed it with confidence and professionalism, resulting in a high quality document and vitally, a strengthened relationship with Magnox.”

To download a copy of this case study, click below