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NTP Radioisotopes faces heavy losses this year but is confident of regaining market share

An aerial view of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation complex at Pelindaba, which contains the NTP facilit

An aerial view of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation complex at Pelindaba, which contains the NTP facilit

Photo by Duane Daws/Creamer Media

27th February 2019

By: Rebecca Campbell

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

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NTP Radioisotopes (NTP), a subsidiary of the State-owned South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, is expected to make a loss this year of R224-million, in comparison to profits of R108-million last year and of R184-million in 2017. This was stated in a written reply to a Parliamentary question by Energy Minister Jeff Radebe.

Safety concerns disrupted NTP’s radioisotope production from November 2017 to February 2018 and then again from May 2018 to November 2018. The company’s radioisotopes are mainly used in nuclear medicine.

Since last November, it “has been producing steadily for local customers and international customers”, stated the Minister in his written reply. NTP is producing and dispatching both Molybdenum-99 and Iodine-131 radioisotopes.

While the shutdowns did not result in NTP losing any customers, its market share was “severely eroded”. However, the company firmly believes that it will re-establish its market share within 15 months. “There is [a] continuous effort to communicate with customers on production status.”

“New strategies, plans and systems were developed to strengthen safety standards and performance of the operations,” pointed out Radebe. “International and local experts were also allowed to come and assess the operations. In particular, the [National Nuclear] Regulator played a crucial role in guarding and monitoring to ensure compliance. A culture of heightened safety awareness and performance has been established which will promote sustainability and ongoing growth and development of the company.”

The board halted the disciplinary processes against senior executives at NTP, instead putting them through “a counselling process aimed at addressing the mistakes identified”. This, he reported, had a beneficial effect on NTP’s performance.

“The plant is building on its history of outstanding excellence and performance under the leadership of the outstanding executives,” affirmed Radebe. “The staff morale is high and the lessons learnt from many months of the shutdown have enhanced focus on both safety and performance. Production levels are increasing and the global market is responding positively.”

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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