AREVA, a global leader in nuclear energy and Atkins, one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies, have formed a joint venture to compete for projects in the UK nuclear fuel management and decommissioning sector.

The AREVA-ATKINS Partnership UK is expected to bid for significant contracts at Tier 2 level* in the UK nuclear engineering sector.

The partnership will draw on the expertise of both companies. It offers a unique combination of international technology along with unbeatable design and engineering consultancy and deep understanding of the UK market and regulations.

Dominique Mockly, AREVA Senior Executive Vice President, Back End Business Group said: "We are delighted to link with a company with such a strong reputation as Atkins. This will enable us to put our proven technology to use in meeting the challenges of UK decommissioning and strengthen AREVA's footprint in the country."

Martin Grant, CEO of Atkins (Energy), said: "We have been involved in the UK nuclear clean-up programme since the late 1980s and bring a wealth of experience in the UK nuclear sector. The partnership we have created today will allow us to further develop skills and capabilities to support a long term, sustainable UK nuclear industry."

AREVA is the world leader in the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle with expertise in all back-end operations. Back-end activities include used-fuel recycling, decommissioning, waste management and transport solutions for each stage of the cycle. AREVA is part of Nuclear Management Partners in the United Kingdom which manages Sellafield.

Atkins is one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies with around 9,000 of its 17,500 people based in the UK. Its international nuclear consultancy has been working at Sellafield, Magnox and former UKAEA sites for around 25 years.

The AREVA-ATKINS Partnership UK will have its headquarters in Warrington, in North West England.