Gamma Ray Sterilization: Ideal for Large Volumes

IONISOS, a specialist in gamma and beta sterilization as well as ethylene oxide sterilization, offers a wide range of services to manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and food sectors.

Among them, gamma ray sterilization is one of the most advantageous as it allows for the treatment of a wide variety of products in their final packaging, either by packages or pallets, in just a few hours.

How Gamma Irradiation Works

Gamma is an ionization treatment, meaning that irradiation causes the formation of ions. This specifically affects the macromolecules of living organisms (DNA, structural and metabolic proteins, enzymes), leading to their denaturation and consequently to the cellular death of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, molds, etc.) and pathogens present on the products. Products are automatically conveyed into an irradiation chamber where they receive a controlled dose of rays. Gamma radiation consists of photons. It is an electromagnetic radiation emitted by the decay of a radioactive source, cobalt-60, whose energy is capable of sterilizing products by destroying the pathogenic genes they contain.

Thanks to its high penetration power (the photon has neither mass nor charge), the process allows the sterilization of densely packaged products at room temperature and without chemical additives. Like electron beams (beta rays), this technique leaves no residues.

Upon delivery to IONISOS for gamma ray sterilization, products undergo individualized handling: the dose to be applied, the number of cycles required, the exposure duration, and the conveyance speed, all validated beforehand, are documented in the tracking file. They are then loaded into an automatic system that directs them into a chamber where they are exposed to radiation before exiting for dosimeter readings to verify the received dose. The exposure typically lasts several hours.

The chamber in which gamma rays are delivered is surrounded by thick concrete walls to protect the exterior from any radiation. Furthermore, the cobalt-60 source is submerged in a 7-meter water pool outside of treatment phases to contain radiation. Safety is therefore ensured.

A Method as Flexible as It Is Effective

The gamma irradiation (or gamma radiation) method is particularly flexible, capable of simultaneously treating products requiring different doses, even if the packages vary in size.

It combines efficiency, precision, and time savings, resulting in significant cost reductions. The absence of residues after sterilization allows products to be shipped directly after the release of gamma radiation sterilization, without additional processing phases like those required for ethylene oxide. This saves storage costs and keeps the supply chain moving.

Finally, sterilization by irradiation is suitable for various applications (e.g., pharmaceutical sterilization) and is compatible with a wide range of products (packaging, medical devices, toiletries, cosmetics, etc.) and materials (plastics, metals, ceramics, biomaterials, etc.), including packaged liquids.

IONISOS operates 4 gamma treatment sites (3 in France and 1 in Estonia). Each site offers gamma sterilization and crosslinking services (plastic optimization) and handles gamma and beta sterilization validation.

specialized treatment sites in France and Europe

gamma treatment centers

Would you like to learn more about our gamma irradiation (sterilization) services? Feel free to contact us; our advisors will be happy to answer your questions and guide you! For more information on the process, do not hesitate to consult the definition of gamma radiation.