**Executive Summary**
The Heavy Water Board (HWB), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has successfully set up India’s first Oxygen-18 Enriched Water production facility with a capacity of 100 kg per year in Manuguru, Telangana. This facility positions India among the elite global O-18 producers and will support India's medical sector by meeting domestic demand and catering to global requirements. The product was formally handed over to Shri Ramakant Sahu, General Manager (ESSA), BRIT, for supply to end users on 30 January 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Facility and Production:**
* India’s first Oxygen-18 Enriched Water production facility established in Manuguru, Telangana.
* Production capacity is 100 kg per year.
* Facility uses international quality standards.
* **Product and Applications:**
* Oxygen-18 enriched water is an essential input for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.
* It aids in the detection and management of cancer and other malignancies.
* It is also used in metabolic studies under extreme climatic conditions.
* **Benefits:**
* Supports India's medical sector by meeting domestic demand.
* Reduces dependence on imports.
* Potential to cater to global demand.
* **Validation and Acceptance:**
* Product certified by end-users and validated by an independent testing laboratory in the USA.
* Approval from the Radio Pharmaceutical Committee (RPC).
* Tested by the Radiation Medicine Centre (RMC) and found suitable for use in medical cyclotrons.
* Accepted by RMC.
* **Heavy Water Board (HWB):**
* Constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
* Primarily engaged in the production of heavy water for Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
* Expanded into Oxygen-18 enriched water production as part of diversification and in support of DAE's healthcare initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**India's Medical Sector**
* **Impact:** Enhanced availability of Oxygen-18 enriched water for PET scans and reduced dependence on imports. Supports the nation's scientific and industrial progress.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the increased domestic production to improve diagnostic capabilities and treatment of cancer and other malignancies.
**Heavy Water Board (HWB)**
* **Impact:** Diversification of its production capabilities and contribution to healthcare initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Continue to operate and optimize the Oxygen-18 enriched water production facility.
**End Users (e.g., Hospitals, Research Institutions)**
* **Impact:** Access to domestically produced, high-quality Oxygen-18 enriched water for medical and research purposes.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the locally sourced product for PET imaging, metabolic studies, and other relevant applications.
**BRIT**
* **Impact:** Responsible for supplying Oxygen-18 enriched water to end users.
* **Action Required:** Ensure efficient distribution of the product to meet the needs of medical facilities and research institutions.
Key Entities Referenced
Heavy Water Board (HWB): The primary organization responsible for the production of Oxygen-18 enriched water.
Oxygen-18 Enriched Water: The product being manufactured, essential for medical imaging.
Manuguru, Telangana: Location of India's first Oxygen-18 enriched water plant.
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE): The parent organization of the Heavy Water Board.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): The medical imaging technique that utilizes Oxygen-18 enriched water.
Department of Atomic Energy
Heavy Water Board Achieves Milestone in
Oxygen-18 Enriched Water Production
Sets up India’s first 100 kg per year Oxygen-18 Enriched
Water Plant at Manuguru, Telangana
With this achievement, India joins the elite group of global O-
18 producers
प्रव तथ: 31 JAN 2026 8:23PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 30 January 2026
In a significant milestone for the nation’s scientific and industrial progress, the Heavy Water
Board (HWB), a constituent unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government
of India, has successfully developed the capability to produce Oxygen-18 (O-18) enriched
water.
A 100 kg per year Oxygen-18 Enriched Water production facility has been set up at
Heavy Water Plant (HWP), Manuguru, Telangana. This is India’s first facility of its kind,
marking an important step towards self-reliance in this critical material.
The foundation and inauguration ceremony of the facility was held at HWP, Manuguru, and was
graced by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman,
Atomic Energy Commission, along with Shri S. Satyakumar, Chairman and Chief Executive,
Heavy Water Board, and other senior officials.Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mohanty stated that the facility will not only meet domestic
medical requirements but also has the potential to cater to global demand for Oxygen-18
enriched water. During the event, the product was formally handed over to Shri Ramakant
Sahu, General Manager (ESSA), BRIT, for supply to end users.
Specialty of the Plant
The Manuguru facility produces O-18 enriched water meeting international quality
standards. The product has been certified by end users and validated by an independent
testing laboratory in the USA. After receiving approval from the Radio Pharmaceutical
Committee (RPC), the product was tested by the Radiation Medicine Centre (RMC) and
found suitable for use in medical cyclotrons. The product has been accepted by RMC.With the increasing number of PET scan facilities and rising global demand for Oxygen-18
enriched water, indigenous production by HWB will significantly support India’s medical sector
and reduce dependence on imports.
The Heavy Water Board (HWB) is primarily engaged in the production of heavy water for
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), supporting the first stage of the Indian
Nuclear Power Programme. As part of its diversification and in support of DAE’s healthcare
initiatives, HWB has expanded into the production of Oxygen-18 enriched water.
O-18 enriched water is an essential input for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging
used in the detection and management of cancer and other malignancies. It is also used in
metabolic studies under extreme climatic conditions.
* * *
PIB Mumbai | Saurabh Khekde/Darshana Rane
Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PIBMu
mbai /pibmumbai
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2221335) आगंतुक पटल : 44
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Marathi