Small and medium sized businesses are being challenged to develop a ‘lighter than air’ robot to solve a decommissioning challenge at the Sellafield site.

The challenge is the latest to be posted on the LINC website portal launched in September last year to give SMEs a new direct route to business opportunities at the complex nuclear site.

A total of 230 business, 188 of which are SMEs, have registered on the platform where they can submit proposals on their own or in collaboration with other registered companies to solve challenges and help Sellafield Limited save both time and money.

They are now being called on to develop a ‘lighter than air’ vehicle that can remotely inspect internal roof fixtures in buildings set to be decommissioned.

The challenge is to develop a robot that will can undertake extended flight times with minimal down-draught.

Emma-Jayne Gooch, head of supply chain development and innovation at Sellafield Ltd, said: “LINC’s first two challenges were consultancy focused.

“It’s exciting to have our first technical challenge out there. Tenders are due back on May 11 this year. I cannot wait to see all the awesome innovation our SMEs will present.”

James Moore, Sellafield Ltd’s capability development manager for remediation added: “It’s a good opportunity to see how LINC with Sellafield works, and it is hoped through collaboration of SMEs a solution will be found that suits our needs.”

In December, Cleator Moor-based React Engineering partnered with Cheshire's B2B secured the first LINC project with a proposal on how Sellafield Ltd could achieve ISO 44001 accreditation, which relates to collaborative business relationship management systems.

LINC was extended last month to cover all opportunities emanating from the site, bringing in to play projects from the big tier companies.

The LINC portal is a key part of a new supply chain strategy designed to break down barriers for businesses looking to win work at Sellafield and foster a more collaborative approach to the site’s huge clean-up agenda.

The strategy aims to save £1 billion by 2020 and accelerate risk and hazard reduction at the site by 25 per cent.

For more information on LINC with Sellafield, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-do-business-with-sellafield-ltd for more details.