Inauguration of Electronics Grade B-11 Enrichment Facility by Dr. A.K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission& Secretray, Department of Atomic Energy at HWBF, Talcher on 23-10-2024

Delhi, Oct 30

Dr. A. K. Mohanty, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)& Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated Electronics Grade Boron-11 (B¹¹) Enrichment Facility at Heavy Water Board Facilities  (HWBF), Talcher on October 23, 2024. With technology demonstartion of B¹¹ enrichment to electronics grade (>99.8%) at HWBF, Talcher, now India has joined the elite club of nations who are having this technology and it is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. Electronics grade B¹¹ is used for production of BF₃ gas which is used as p-type dopant in the manufacturing of semiconductor chips.

HWBF, Talcher, which is sub-unit of Heavy Water Board, Mumbai under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, is pioneer in the field of production of various specialty materials for nuclear as well as non-nuclear applications. The unit is involvedin the production of nuclear control rod grade (> 67% IP ) and neutron detector grade(>96% IP) of Boron-10 (B¹⁰) isotopes. These B¹⁰enriched products are essential for 3-stage nuclear power programme. HWBF, Talcher also produces different organophosporous solvents used in front end and back end of nuclear fuel cycle.