Radioisotope Processing Facility

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has a legacy in isotope production and innovation. The lab produces, purifies and ships more isotopes than any other place in the world—more than 300 isotopes for medical, industrial, research and national security. 

ORNL is building the Radioisotope Processing Facility (RPF) to address the growing demand for radioisotopes. The number of radioisotopes considered for long-term production by the Department of Energy’s Isotope Program has nearly doubled in three years. Yet ORNL and US isotope production infrastructure is already at full capacity, unable to meet the isotope needs of research institutions and government agencies. The limitations on aging facilities complicate the issue.

By building the RPF at ORNL, the nation will further utilize the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) capabilities along with ORNL’s extensive radioisotope expertise and existing radioisotope transportation infrastructure to meet the increasing need for radioisotopes.