The idea of establishing a coalition of reactors including those working in the institutes of nuclear physics in Almaty and
Tashkent, was born in December 2007 at a meeting to develop strategic planning for research reactor activities held in Vienna
under the aegis of IAEA. The main function of the coalition would be to oversee the coordination of activities involving the
production of radioisotopes for medical and industrial applications.
This idea was actively debated at the seminar on the commercial production of isotopes, organized by CNCP in May 2008 in
Almaty, and aroused the lively interest of colleagues in Kiev and also in Prague. In this connection, the original title «Central
Asian» was changed to «Eurasian». A memorandum on the creation of a Eurasian coalition of research reactors was signed in
Vienna in November 2008. Four nuclear research centres became its founders, three of which were involved in CNCP activities: the
Institutes of Nuclear Physics in Almaty and Tashkent and the Institute of Nuclear Research in Kiev; together with five private
companies engaged in selling radioisotopes.
The crucial link to the Coalition’s development strategy appeared through the global crisis in the supply of molybdenum-99
derived from uranium fission products which emerged in 2008-2009. Queues of patients awaiting essential diagnostic procedures
built up, raising concerns not only in business, but also the governments of developed countries which were seeking new sources
of this most important of isotopes. The alternative method of obtaining molybdenum-99, which had been successfully adopted in
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, involving the neutron activation of molybdenum-98 turned out to be never more relevant. Employing
this «uranium-free» technology and the high level of reliability made possible by coordinating the activities of reactors
situated in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and, possibly, Hungary, the Eurasian Coalition planned to become
a recognized player in the World market for Molybdenum-99. As a result, a small revolution is being talked of in the supply
system of world nuclear medicine. Interested partners have already been found and product samples have been tested, which have
confirmed their suitability. The task now is to organise regular deliveries, and here there will be a role for CNCP.
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