Nukem / German Company Begins New Chapter Free From Russian Ownership

Germany based radioactive waste management and nuclear decommissioning company Nukem Technologies Engineering Services has been acquired by Tokyo-based IT company Muroosystems, marking a new chapter free from Russian ownership.

The company said it had successfully closed its acquisition by Muroosystems following the signing of a purchase agreement in May. It said the move marks “a pivotal moment” for the company.

The decision to sell Nukem, based in Karlstein am Main, was made in 2022 in view of the difficult geopolitical situation and the challenges involved in continuing the company under a Russian owner, Nukem said in a statement.

Nukem Technologies had been owned by Russia’s state nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport.

“Since then, extensive negotiations have taken place with potential buyers who recognised the immense value of Nukem’s products and its highly skilled team,” the statement said.

“The completion of the acquisition heralds a new beginning for Nukem during these turbulent times. This transition allows Nukem to re-enter markets that were previously inaccessible under the former ownership structure, ensuring that the company’s expertise and long-standing experience can once again be fully leveraged.”

Nukem said that as part of the closing process, all necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained and commitments to third parties have been diligently fulfilled. The effective date of the economic transfer of the company to the new owner is 25 September 2024.

Nukem managing director Thomas Seipolt said: “With Muroosystems, we will continue to build on our strong foundation in nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management while seeking new growth opportunities.

“We are particularly excited about expanding into innovative areas like nuclear fusion technology, which aligns with the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions.”

Nobuaki Ninomiya, an executive board member at Muroosystems, said that by integrating advanced nuclear-related technologies with Muroosystems’ expertise in IT, “we will create new synergies that will boost our competitiveness in developing next-generation energy solutions”.

He said: “In the future, we plan to solidify our business base in Europe and actively expand into the Asian market.”

Muroosystems, established in 2006, focuses on IT solutions centred around decentralized data centres and engages in power development projects primarily based on renewable energy.