ARC-Nucléart new IAEA Collaborating Centre

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has designated iia member ARC-Nucléart as a Collaborating Centre to support IAEA activities on preservation of cultural heritage.

Najat Mokhtar, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, and Karine Froment, ARC-Nucléart Director, finalized a partnership by signing an agreement on Monday, February 27, 2023, at the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) Center in Grenoble. Representatives of France’s Ministry of Culture, the city of Grenoble, the ProNucléart Association, and the CEA attended the ceremony.

For more than 50 years, ARC-Nucléart’s teams in Grenoble have been using gamma irradiation for cultural preservation. In addition to this specific activity, ARC-Nucléart has developed skills in the fields of conservation and restoration of archaeological objects made of organic materials and polychromed wood sculptures. Today, ARC-Nucléart is a key stakeholder in heritage conservation both nationally and internationally, thanks to its wide range of techniques and skills.

With this collaboration agreement, both organizations will join forces to promote the use of nuclear techniques for heritage preservation; optimize practices and disseminate knowledge following open science strategies; educate the public and future generations, and raise awareness on issues related to heritage conservation.