The market space for irradiation sterilization is large and the entry threshold for the industry is high

Radiation sterilization is a method that uses energy generated by ionizing radiation to kill microorganisms on materials. Radiation sterilization is an important part of irradiation technology. The irradiation energy used is mainly gamma rays, electron beams, and X-rays. Utilizing gamma rays generated by cobalt-60 and electron beams generated by electron accelerators, radiation sterilization can inhibit the physiological activity or reproduction of microorganisms on or inside objects, achieving the purpose of disinfection and sterilization. It can be used in food, medicine, and medical care. Sterilization fields such as equipment and packaging.

In the food field, irradiation sterilization can irradiate food and food raw materials, which can inhibit plant germination, delay plant maturity, kill insects and mildew, disinfect and sterilize, etc. In addition to the function of sterilization, it also has the function of preserving freshness. The effect can improve food quality and extend food shelf life. In the field of packaging, irradiation sterilization can kill viruses and bacteria on the outer packaging. As the overseas new crown epidemic continues to break out, irradiation sterilization plays an important role in sterilizing and sterilizing the outer packaging of imported products in my country.

In the medical field, radiation sterilization can be used for sterilization of medicines, health products, disposable sanitary products, medical equipment, and other medical devices. There are two main methods for sterilizing medical products: radiation sterilization and ethylene oxide sterilization. In overseas markets, radiation sterilization accounts for a large share, but in the Chinese market, ethylene oxide sterilization is still the mainstream. Sterilization method. Compared with chemical sterilization methods, radiation sterilization has obvious advantages in terms of no residue, complete killing, and no secondary pollution. The Chinese government’s requirements for the health and safety of medical products continue to increase, and the market space for radiation sterilization continues to increase.

According to the “China’s Irradiation Sterilization Market Feasibility Research Report 2022-2026” released by the Industrial Research Center, my country’s food, The pharmaceutical and medical device markets are large, and a certain proportion of products can be sterilized by radiation. It is estimated that the potential market space for radiation sterilization in my country can reach about 5.5 billion yuan. In radiation sterilization technology, gamma rays have the characteristics of strong penetrating ability and can sterilize large-volume products and thick packaging contents. However, the radiation intensity needs to be strictly controlled, and cobalt-60 is used as the radiation source. The application is limited; the electron beam has weak penetrating ability and is non-radioactive. It can only sterilize the outer packaging and is safer, but it cannot sterilize the contents through the packaging.

Industry analysts said that the construction cost of radiation sterilization production lines is high, including radiation sterilization equipment, professional workshops, and radiation protection Devices, etc., have high operating costs and require professionals to operate them. Moreover, due to the use of nuclear technology, the state has strict audits and supervision of irradiation sterilization plants, especially gamma ray irradiation sterilization plants that use cobalt sources. It is difficult for ordinary enterprises to bear such high investment costs and qualification requirements and to establish their own irradiation sterilization production lines. Generally, professional irradiation sterilization manufacturers provide sterilization services to multiple corporate customers.

In my country’s radiation sterilization industry, CICC Radiation is one of the representative enterprises and a professional sterilization service provider. In its main business income, radiation sterilization accounts for more than 91%. Among the sterilization revenue, medical and health care product sterilization revenue accounted for 42%, food accounted for 28%, and medicine and packaging accounted for 10% and 8% respectively. In 2020, CICC’s irradiation operating income was approximately 256 million yuan, and in the first three quarters of 2021 it was 230 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 26.3%. It can be seen from this that my country’s radiation sterilization market has great potential.