SteriGenics To Build Northern California Irradiation Facility

SteriGenics International, Inc. (Fremont, CA) plans to build a gamma irradiation facility in Gilroy, CA, which will provide microorganism reduction services to the company's advanced application markets. Those markets include spices, herbs, botanicals, fresh foods, nutraceuticals, and food and beverage packaging.

The facility will feature a customized material handling system and the company's OmegaCell irradiation processing system, which is a continuous, pallet-type irradiator that will allow for the processing of a wide variety of products. "Because we are the only contract irradiation services provider to design and build our own irradiation systems, we have an enhanced ability to evaluate the capability of any given system with respect to the products processed," said James Clouser, president and CEO. "As a result, we have been able to develop customized irradiation systems such as the Gilroy OmegaCell."

SteriGenics expects the Gilroy facility to commence during the fourth calendar quarter of 1999. Clouser further stated, "One of the primary reasons supporting our decision to build this facility is our commitment to help our customers reduce their overall turnaround time and cost of processing, without compromising our standard of quality and reliability. A localized facility provides our current Northern California customers, as well as prospective customers, with an opportunity to reduce both transportation time and distance."

SteriGenics International, Inc. provides contract irradiation and sterilization services. The company has 20 years experience in the design and development of Gamma irradiation facilities and equipment. SteriGenics currently operates a nationwide network of facilities, offering either gamma or electron beam irradiation.