German market leader for radiation sterilization set to expand in the UK

BGS Beta-Gamma-Service, the German market leader for radiation sterilization, is set to expand its activities in the UK and will promote its services for the first time at Health GB Manchester from 30 April to 2 May.

“The UK market for medical devices is the third largest in Europe and has a significant demand for high-quality sterilization services”, says Dr Andreas Ostrowicki, the company’s CEO.

BGS uses gamma- and eBeam-treatment for all applications where pathogenic germs can cause danger to human or animal health, or where micro-organisms might have a detrimental effect.

The company specializes in the reduction of contamination across a broad spectrum of products.  These include medical devices, packaging for pharmaceutical products, equipment for biotechnological applications, raw materials, semiconductor production, cosmetics, consumer goods and pet food.

“We are offering British industry an all-round, flexible package starting at the development stage, advising in the selection of suitable materials for products and as well for packaging.  Support for the optimum design of packaging schemes is another important factor for process stability and economics”, Dr Ostrowicki explains.  

“This also includes the qualification, validation and related documentation of the sterilization process required for the regulatory authorities”.

BGS operates three radiation centers in Germany and has just commenced operation of a new, state-of-the-art gamma radiation facility at its Bruchsal site - with an annual capacity of up to 80,000 pallets for the European market.

BGS is a recognized expert in the application of radiation technology using accelerated electrons (eBeam) and gamma rays for sterilization as well as optimizing polymers by crosslinking.

The company was founded in 1981 and has pioneered many of the processes now regarded as standard in radiation processing.  Sterilization services are provided to the highest standards using Cobalt-60 as well as by accelerated electrons (eBeam).  

Whilst eBeam has seen strong development for sterilizing medical devices, gamma irradiation is still regarded as indispensable.

“People rely nowadays on products being free from pathogenic germs.  For medical devices and in medical diagnostics, sterility is essential.  But in many other production processes of modern industry, the sterility of raw materials, equipment and packaging is equally indispensable,” concludes Dr Ostrowicki.

“We are looking forward to introducing our new gamma radiation plant as well as launching our entire service portfolio to the UK market at Health GB”.