Serco signs contract extension to continue supporting the CERN cryogenic facilities

Serco, the international provider of services to governments, has signed a five-year contract extension with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) to continue maintaining and operating their cryogenic facilities, among them, the production of very low temperatures for the CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) making use of the largest cryogenic system in the world and one of the coldest places on Earth. The contract is valued at EUR 31m and will see Serco continue to support this contract until 2029.

With its mission to unravel the secrets of the universe, CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, conducts ground-breaking research in fundamental physics. Central to their endeavours is the iconic LHC, the world's most powerful particle accelerator. Serco will continue to provide the industrial cryogenic support services together with Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health. 

Serco's responsibilities encompass the maintenance and operation of cryogenic refrigeration and distribution installations at CERN. The scope of service includes the maintenance of the LHC accelerator and its detectors, cryogenic test areas, and associated cryogenic plants and infrastructure. Additionally, Serco is entrusted with the maintenance and operation of proximity cryogenic systems in the test areas, along with providing operational support for the LHC accelerator and detectors. "We are proud to be supporting the crucial work of CERN through a wide range of support services," said Arnaud Laure, Managing Director for International Organisations. "The extension of this key contract is a testament of our good collaboration with the CERN and our focus on impacting a better future."

For the past 25 years, Serco has proudly provided support services to CERN including engineering support and maintenance for the accelerator, experiments, IT support, and cryogenic installations.

Serco, Impact A Better Future.