The integrated project NF-PRO: Recent advances in European research on the near-field system

During the last few years, substantial progress has been made in the scientific understanding of key processes affecting the overall performance of the near-field system. The Integrated Project NF-PRO has played a leading role in advancing science on the near-field. NF-PRO is supported by funding under the Sixth Research Framework Programme (EURATOM) of the European Commission and brings together scientific disciplines and research teams that largely worked independently in the past. The NF-PRO consortium consists of 40 leading research organisations and waste management agencies/implementing organisations. Research as part of NF-PRO addresses various host rocks (salt, granite and clay) and different repository concepts that are currently considered within EU Member States and aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of all safety-related issues concerning the near-field. The present paper gives an overview of the scope and the objectives of NF-PRO. Particular emphasis will be on latest advancements made by research as part of NF-PRO with respect to key processes taking place in the waste matrix (vitrified HL waste and spent fuel), chemical processes and interactions in the Engineered Barrier System, coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes and the initiation and the evolution of the excavation disturbed zone.