AMEC Foster Wheeler has secured two framework contracts to assist the UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) with finding innovative solutions to a number of the 'technical challenges' it faces.

The research and development frameworks announced today, Monday, are part of an overall package worth up to £12 million and are being shared by 10 consortia, including the two led by Amec Foster Wheeler, which has facilities in Birchwood, on Faraday Street.

The awards under the NDA's direct research portfolio are divided into two.

The first covers integrated waste management and site remediation, with the second covering spent fuel and nuclear materials.

Andy White, vice president for decommissioning at Amec Foster Wheeler's Clean Energy Europe business, said: "These awards deal with some of the industry's biggest technical challenges and position us at the vanguard of innovation.

"The awards also enhance and further hone our expertise and put it at the service of the NDA."

Yvonne Morris, the NDA's research manager, added: "Overall we were delighted with the high quality of the submissions and look forward to working with the organisations on our strategic research and development programme.

"We now have new multi-supplier contracts aligned with our key strategic themes.

"With many new organisations involved for the first time we will have broad input into addressing our research and development requirements."

Amec Foster Wheeler's Clean Energy Europe organisation employs a total of 1,200 people in Knutsford and Birchwood.