WS Atkins to acquire EnergySolutions' PP&T unit

WS Atkins Plc. said on Tuesday that it has agreed to purchase EnergySolutions' Projects, Products and Technology (PP&T) segment for approximately $318 million.

“This acquisition accelerates our nuclear strategy and creates a global platform,” Atkins CEO Uwe Krueger said. “Our combined business is well-positioned in all the major nuclear markets in North America, U.K., Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific. In the U.S., which has the largest nuclear fleet, we are at the top table for decommissioning, site operations, major projects and consultancy. This complements our acquisition last year of Nuclear Safety Associates (NSA). We are also acquiring innovative technologies that are a key differentiator in the growing and profitable nuclear market.”

The PP&T unit consists of management services and technical engineering related to the decontamination and decommissioning of hazardous nuclear facilities. This segment of EnergySolutions supplied water-treatment systems to treat contaminated water after the Fukushima Daiichi Plant accident in Japan. It currently is constructing waste-management facilities for build reactors in China.

With this acquisition, Atkins gains a stronger presence in the Asia Pacific and U.K. markets. The PP&T segment employs 650 individuals who are technically trained, and Atkins said PP&T has a strong reputation among international markets in the nuclear industry.