2025 General Meeting Summary
It took 23 years for the ICG-EAC meeting to return to France. This time, it was held on the Atlantic coast at the Westotel in Le Pouliguen, from May 11 to 16, 2025. The meeting was attended by 129 technical delegates from 15 countries, representing 58 of our 83 member organizations (including three guests). The local host was led by Thierry Couvant and Claire Rainasse (both EDF, France), supported by an outstanding team from the French member organizations, including Cecilie Duhamel, Catherine Guerre, Ian de Curières, Colette Perez, Jacqueline Caballero Hinostroza, among others. Thanks also to this year’s sponsors (EDF, Framatome, CEA, MINES Paris-PSL, ASNR, MAI, and CNL), an excellent (social) program was offered at a moderate meeting fee.
On Sunday, a Tutorial on “Chemistry and electrochemistry in nuclear reactors and their influence on EAC” was organized by Caitlin Huotilainen (TerraPower, USA) and Ian de Curières (ASNR, France). That evening, most attendees joined the welcome reception at the meeting hotel. On Wednesday afternoon, following the Special Session, participants and accompanying persons were invited to a sightseeing tour of Ranrouet Castle. That evening, the banquet took place at a beautiful coastal venue in Batz-sur-Mer. Finally, after the meeting concluded on Friday afternoon, some participants joined a highly interesting technical tour of the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, where many legendary ocean liners were built (e.g., France, Queen Mary 2, Harmony of the Seas). On the way back, the group stopped in Guérande, a charming medieval town.
A total of 81 technical contributions were included in the 2025 meeting minutes. The oral presentations were given in 16 sessions. Three summary/poster sessions were held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with 16 short summary presentations “promoting” the very interesting posters (one summary presentation was given without a poster). On Monday morning, a very interesting plenary lecture was given by Francois Foct from EDF (France). On Wednesday morning an excellent special session was held, including a very lively panel discussion moderated by Jared Smith.
Finally, special thanks are directed to the local host’s team for organizing such an amazing meeting in such a beautiful spot and the support of the Group Leadership, attendees and sponsors is gratefully acknowledged!
Links to general summaries of other meetings: