EDF is to buy nuclear waste treatment facilities in the UK and Sweden.

Swedish company Studsvik has signed an agreement to divest its waste operations in both nations.

The business provides services to nuclear and other customers generating low level radioactive waste, which is either recycled or volume reduced and returned to the customer for final storage.

EDF is to take over the Metal Recycling Facility near Workington in the UK and the treatment assets at the Studsvik site near Nykoping in Sweden.

In the UK facility, metallic waste items are processed on a batch basis that includes size reduction using conventional hot and cold cutting techniques with subsequent decontamination.

As part of the agreement, the two companies have also agreed to join forces and collaborate in areas of nuclear decommissioning and waste management.

EDF has proposed to build the Hinkley nuclear plant in Somerset but is yet to make a final decision. Its chief Vincent de Rivaz insisted the project will go ahead while Energy Secretary Amber Rudd said a delay or cancellation would risk the UK’s emissions targets and increase bills.