The document discusses the Indian gamma irradiation industry. It notes that there are currently around 19 gamma irradiation plants in India serving industries like medical, spices, and food processing. Food irradiation has potential in India to reduce post-harvest losses but is still nascent, dominated by export applications. Key challenges include high real estate costs for metro-centric plants, lower production volumes, and a cost-sensitive agro market with lack of financing. However, new developments like government initiatives and increasing awareness may help the industry grow.

1. Presented by
Ananth Vas
Director – Marketing and Sales
Symec Engineers (India) Pvt. Ltd.

2. Symec Engineers (I) Pvt. Ltd. is an Engineering company
engaged in developing high technology custom-designed
equipment and systems for Nuclear, Biotech,
Pharmaceutical, chemical, and food processing industries.
Gamma Irradiation
Plant
Automated Material
Handling Systems &
SPM’s
Process Equipment

3. INDIAN GAMMA IRRADIATION
INDUSTRY

4.  Irradiation Technology first introduced in India in the late 1960s.
 The Cobalt-60 source is produced and supplied indigenously by
the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Govt of India.
 Currently, about 19 gamma irradiation plants have been built
and commissioned in India. 5 more facilities are under
construction.
 3-4 low energy E-beam facilities exist in the country, primarily
dedicated to cable cross-linking.
 Majority of the Gamma Irradiation plants are involved in
High/Medium dose irradiation of medical disposables, spices,
herbal products, and pet foods.
 Currently, 3 plants exist that are focused on low dose agro
Irradiation.
BACKGROUND

6. • India is among the largest producers of fresh fruits, vegetables,
meat and seafood and food grains in the world.
• However, only a fraction of this quantity is exported.
• Post harvest losses are high due to the temperate climate and lack
of infrastructure.
• Food Irradiation has vast potential but is still in its infancy in India
due to key obstacles that are preventing the widespread use of
this technology.
• Currently dominated by export/quarantine related applications.
AGRO IRRADIATION SCENARIO

7.  Most plants are metro-centric and located in Tier 1 cities such
as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi and consequently, have
higher real estate costs.
 High incidence of merchant plants involved in contract
irradiation rather than in-house irradiation.
 Lower production volumes and dispersed production centers.
 Mature market for High/ Medium dose irradiation.
 Agro product irradiation currently in its infancy, despite
significant potential.
 Highly cost sensitive market with a lack of financing options
for irradiation projects.
UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE INDUSTRY

8. • India is among the largest producers of fresh fruits, vegetables,
meat, seafood and food grains in the world.
• Post-harvest losses are high due to the temperate climate ,
improper storage, treatment and packing infrastructure, poor
transportation networks, etc.
• A significant percentage of these losses can be reduced if the food
products are irradiated and stored properly.
• However, only a very small fraction of food products are currently
irradiated and are primarily for export/ quarantine related
applications.
• Very few food/agro irradiation facilities in the country, with most
of them being located at or near major cities.
AGRO IRRADIATION

9.  Significant improvement in Infrastructure in the past few years.
 ‘Make in India’ initiative to promote manufacturing in the
country.
 Special incentives and subsidies by the government to set up
Irradiation facilities for food processing applications.
 Simplification of norms for export of medical devices
 Medical Device Rule notified in 2017 to simplify regulation and
promote manufacturing.
 Establishment of Medical device manufacturing parks in India,
with common facilities for testing, sterilization, and training.
 Increasing awareness of irradiation technology and its benefits.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS

10. ELECTRON BEAM IN INDIA
CHALLENGES
• Larger package
sizes
• Relatively smaller
volumes of
products.
• Low cost of
Gamma
Irradiation
• Price sensitive
market
• High import tariffs
OPPURTUNITIES
• Increasing focus
on the security of
facilities.
• The Increasing
availability of
medical devices
and other
products
• Pro-Industry
government
policies
KEY FOCUS AREAS
• Reducing the plant
cost by local
sourcing of non-
core components.
• Tie up with local
partners for
regulatory liaison,
maintenance, and
logistical support.
• Flexible pricing and
payment options.

11. VARIOUS STAGES OF
CONSTRUCTION OF A GAMMA
IRRADIATION PLANT

13. STAGES OF POOL INSTALLATION

15. PREPARATION OF PLATFORM WITH GRAVEL & PCC ON COMPLETION OF BACK FILLING & PLACEMENT OF
VENTILATION DUCT

18. Source raise EPRoof plug
cavity EP

21. SOURCE LOADING