[cdn-nucl-l] Hitachi, Mitsubishi ink nuclear deal

["Adam McLean" <adam.mclean@utoronto.ca>]

Posted in the Japan Times on February 21, 2002 and at:
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nb20020221a3.htm
Note that AECL is collaborating with Hitachi for NG BOP (see:
http://www.aecl.ca/index.asp?layid=55&csid=168&csid1=42&menuid=48).

Adam


Hitachi, Mitsubishi ink nuclear deal

Hitachi Ltd. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said Wednesday they
have agreed to collaborate on basic nuclear power plant technologies.
The companies pointed out, however, that the partnership does not
signify a future integration of their nuclear businesses.

The firms said they have agreed to cooperate in subordinate engineering
technologies related to nuclear power plants, such as construction and
maintenance of pipes and other auxiliary components.

The agreement does not cover core nuclear plant technologies such as
those on reactors, they said.

Hitachi has a partnership with General Electric Co. on boiling water
reactor technologies while Mitsubishi Heavy is collaborating with
Westinghouse Electric Co. on pressurized water reactor technologies.

The firms said their existing business alliances with the U.S. companies
will remain intact.

The agreement between the electronics maker and the heavy machinery
manufacturer is aimed at "making the best of each company's
technologies, facilities and other engineering resources," they said in
a joint news release.

In addition to collaborating on subordinate technologies that are common
to Hitachi's boiling water reactors and Mitsubishi Heavy's pressurized
water reactors, the firms will also cooperate in developing an
innovative reactor that is superior to existing light-water reactors in
terms of safety and economical efficiency, they said.

The agreement does not include any intention to integrate the two
companies' businesses, to form joint ventures or to license
technologies, they said.

The Japan Times: Feb. 21, 2002
(C) All rights reserved