Radioactive Waste Disposal in Germany: No Site Decision - Keeping Competence Available to Purchase

The research programme of the Institut fu¨r Nukleare Entsorgung (INE) at the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe is dedicated to elaborate the fundamental understanding of radionuclide/actinide interactions with various components of the groundwater and with the relevant hostrock materials at disposal relevant trace concentrations. INE’s research programme was not biased after enactment of the Gorleben moratorium in 2001. This paper presents current R&D with respect to application in performance assessment/safety case of nuclear waste disposal. Focus is given to the leading role of the institute in various projects within EU framework programmes.