Magurele, Romania - October 2, 2025
Germany’s RI Research Instruments GmbH has secured a €16.8 million contract to design and deliver a state-of-the-art Gamma Beam Generation System for Romania’s Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP) facility in Magurele. The award was announced by the National Research and Development Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering “Horia Hulubei” (IFIN-HH) following an open tender procedure published in the Official Gazette S 189/2025.
The contract, valued at €16.8 million, aims to enhance the ELI-NP’s existing research infrastructure with advanced technologies capable of producing quasi-monochromatic gamma beams. The project will be executed over a 14-month period at IFIN-HH’s headquarters in Ilfov County.
A Strategic Leap in European Nuclear Research
The new Gamma Beam Generation System will play a pivotal role in advancing Romania’s standing in global nuclear and photonics research. The system includes an electron beam transport line with a Compton scattering enclosure, integrated control systems for both the existing linear accelerator (LINAC) and the new gamma beam system, as well as subsystems for diagnostics, vacuum, radio frequency, and safety operations.
The procurement, covered under the EU Directive 2014/24/EU, is financed through a combination of European Regional Development Fund allocations and Romania’s state budget, under the Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digitalization.
Award Details and Evaluation
The contract was awarded under an open procedure, attracting one international bid-the winning offer from RI Research Instruments GmbH of Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
Evaluation was based primarily on price (80%), with additional criteria for quality factors such as:
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Extended system warranty (10%)
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Average focal spot size (5%)
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Beam ellipticity (5%)
RI Research Instruments achieved the highest ranking, offering competitive pricing and compliance with the demanding technical specifications of the ELI-NP “White Paper.”
About the Winning Contractor
RI Research Instruments GmbH is a leading European manufacturer of high-performance accelerator components and systems used in scientific research and industry. The company has extensive experience in building superconducting cavities, linear accelerators, and beamline systems for major research centers, including CERN and DESY.
Significance for Romania’s Research Ecosystem
The ELI-NP facility, often referred to as one of the most advanced nuclear research centers in Europe, stands at the forefront of laser-driven physics and photonuclear science. The addition of the Gamma Beam Generation System is expected to significantly expand its experimental capabilities, attracting top-tier scientists and fostering innovation in nuclear imaging, medical isotope production, and materials science.
Next Steps
The contract, signed on September 12, 2025, marks the beginning of an important development phase for ELI-NP. Installation and commissioning are expected to conclude by late 2026, after which the system will undergo rigorous testing before integration into the institute’s main research programs.
This project reinforces Romania’s commitment to cutting-edge nuclear research and positions the ELI-NP as a critical hub for European scientific collaboration in advanced photon technologies.
Tags: #Romania, #Magurele, #ELI-NP, #RI Research Instruments, #Gamma Beam System, #Nuclear Physics, #Particle Accelerators, #Research Infrastructure, #Procurement News, #Government Contracts, #Contract Awards, #EU-Funded Projects, #Ilfov County, #Science and Innovation
