Asset materials management strategy and rationalisation programme for a UK nuclear decommissioning facility — reducing materials holdings while maintaining availability for ongoing decommissioning activities.
The facility held extensive materials and spares inventory accumulated over decades of operation, much of which was no longer required for the decommissioning programme. Carrying costs were significant, and inventory management processes lacked the structure to identify what could safely be rationalised without compromising decommissioning activity availability.
Optimal developed a structured materials management strategy based on decommissioning programme requirements. All materials holdings were reviewed against the planned decommissioning scope, remaining equipment requirements assessed using criticality and lead-time analysis, and a rationalisation programme developed to safely reduce inventory while protecting operational availability.
The facility achieved a material reduction in inventory holdings and carrying costs. The structured approach provided confidence that rationalisation decisions were evidence-based and defensible, and the materials management strategy provided the framework for managing inventory through the remainder of the decommissioning programme.