On 9 September, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced a significant breakthrough in the production of fully domestic molybdenum-technetium generators. This achievement was made possible through the close collaboration between the Institute of Physical and Chemical Engineering of the Nuclear Industry, the Nuclear Power Institute of China, and Gaotong Isotope, a subsidiary of the China Isotope and Radiation Corporation.

This breakthrough enables the full domestic production of technetium-99m (Tc-99m) via the “Mo-98 → Mo-99 → Tc-99m” pathway. The process involves irradiating high-abundance molybdenum-98 (Mo-98) isotopes in a reactor to produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is then used to manufacture gel-type molybdenum-technetium generators.

This milestone marks the end of China's long reliance on imported Tc-99 isotopes, ensuring the country's ability to supply this crucial medical isotope independently and on a large scale.

(Source: China National Nuclear Corporation)