Securing the Isotope Supply Chain: A Growing Global Challenge

Hear from experts from government agencies, international organizations, research institutions, and the private sector to discuss the state of isotope supply, the risks of inaction, and the tools we have—both scientific and political—to build a more resilient global system.

Panelists

• Steven Biegalski, Chair, Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics Program, Georgia Tech University
• Samantha Schrell, Program Manager, Oakridge National Lab
• Nicholas Sherman, Deputy Head of Division for Nuclear Technology Development and Economics, OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)
• Richard Wiens, Director of Business Development & Strategic Supply at Nordion, a Sotera Health Company

Moderator

• Paul Dickman, President, World Council on Isotopes and Chair of the ANS External Affairs Committee

More about the webinar

Around the world, modern medicine, advanced industrial processes, nuclear science, and national security all depend on a reliable supply of radioisotopes—materials that are often invisible to the public but critical to everyday life. From cancer treatment and the sterilization of surgical tools, to the inspection of turbine blades and the startup of research reactors, radioisotopes are foundational to safe, modern societies.

Yet today, many of these materials are facing unprecedented supply chain fragility. Production is often concentrated in just a handful of aging reactors, many in politically complex or geostrategic regions. The result is a system vulnerable to unplanned outages, geopolitical disruptions, reactor retirements, and delayed infrastructure investments.

Two telling examples illustrate the broader problem:

• Cobalt-60, used to sterilize roughly 40% of all single-use medical devices globally, is currently produced in only a few countries—primarily Canada, Russia, and China—with long lead times and limited redundancy.
• Californium-252, a powerful neutron emitter used in reactor startups and oil exploration, is available from just two main sources worldwide, with no easy substitutes and difficult production pathways.

But these are only the tip of the iceberg. The list of isotopes with vulnerable supply chains includes Molybdenum-99 (for diagnostic imaging), Lutetium-177 and Actinium-225 (for targeted radiotherapies), Iodine-131, Iridium-192, Yttrium-90, and others. In many cases, single facilities, or single nations, represent the majority of global production—leaving the world exposed to cascading shortages.

International organizations have recognized this challenge. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been instrumental in fostering cooperation, supporting infrastructure development, and facilitating technical exchange to bolster isotope availability. Similarly, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) has launched working groups and policy dialogues to coordinate among producers, regulators, and end-users—particularly for medically vital isotopes where patient access is at stake.

Still, the path forward demands more than analysis. It requires action:

• Expanding and diversifying production capacity, both through existing reactors and new technologies such as accelerators and innovative target designs.
• Improving transparency and coordination across borders to anticipate disruptions before they become crises.
• Supporting public-private investment models to overcome the market failures that plague low-volume but high-importance isotopes.
• And ensuring regulatory frameworks allow for both safety and flexibility in isotope development and transport.

Join us for this discussion on how we can build a more resilient global system for the isotope supply chain.