Moscow (Russia) 

Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics and Automation (NIITFA JSC, a part of the Rusatom Healthcare division of Rosatom), with the support from Regional Center Rosatom South Asia, following an international open tender, signed a contract for the supply to the People's Republic of Bangladesh of equipment to replace the existing gamma irradiation facility for treating of food (spices and pet food) and medical products and also for research purpose.

The international tender was organised by the Institute of Radiation and Polymer Technology (IRPT), Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Bangladesh. Apart from Rosatom, companies from China and Germany also took part in the tender. According to the results of the comparison of technical and commercial proposals, Rosatom's design satisfied all customer's requirements and was elected as the winner.

Rosatom will perform all work, including design, manufacture, supply, installation supervision, testing, and commissioning of gamma installation equipment. In addition to NIITFA JSC, other entities that make part of Rusatom Healthcare division of Rosatom will be involved in the work on the project. In particular, Co-60 (cobalt-60) radioactive isotopes will be supplied by Isotope JSC. The result of the work will be an upgraded gamma installation with a nominal activity of 400 kCi.

Igor Obrubov, CEO of Rusatom Healthcare JSC, noted: "The implementation of the project in the People's Republic of Bangladesh will allow developing and strengthening competencies in the field of manufacture of equipment used for gamma irradiation of products. We are confident that the efficient work of the division will further strengthen the international reputation of Rusatom Healthcare and Rosatom as reliable suppliers of irradiation technology solutions."

Andrey Shevlyakov, CEO of Rosatom South Asia, added: "Until now, Rosatom was known in Bangladesh only for its large-capacity nuclear power plants and the implementation of the Rooppur NPP joint project, but we actually possess expertise in a wide range of high-tech industries. We believe that the supply of gamma irradiation equipment will not only be Rosatom's first non-energy project in Bangladesh, but also a good example of our strengthening cooperation with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

Rusatom Healthcare Division, which makes part of Rosatom, among other things, implements projects to create multifunctional centers for treating products with gamma irradiation in Russia and overseas. The treatment technologies available at Rosatom make it possible to increase the shelf life of products several times; in addition, gamma irradiation treatment is the only method that allows achieving a degree of purity of products 10-6. Ionizing gamma irradiation breaks chemical bonds of harmful microorganisms and leaves no residual traces. Such sterilization ensures the death of pathogenic forms of microorganisms in the form of spores and non-pathogenic microorganisms inside a material. Due to the penetrating ability of ionizing radiation, it is possible to treat products while maintaining the integrity and tightness of the packaging. Another advantage of this method is the absence of a "degassing" process in the technology — this means that the products are ready for use immediately after treatment. The safety of this method has been confirmed by the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency). All this ensures a growing worldwide demand for "cold" sterilization with ionizing radiation.

Scientific Research Institute of Technical Physics and Automation has developed process installations using the Co-60 (cobalt-60) isotope. The gamma installation has a deeper penetrating capacity and is suitable for medium- and high-density materials. NIITFA JSC developed industrial gamma installations for the Era gamma treatment center, Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry JSC and other companies within Rosatom's circuit. The Institute's equipment has the necessary certificates and is adapted both for the Russian market and for foreign customers.

Regional Office Rosatom South Asia is the representative office of Rosatom in the South-Asian region. The office is a part of Rusatom International Network which has regional presence all across the world. The key goals of Rusatom International Network are to support the activities of Rosatom's divisions in foreign markets, search for new business opportunities, promote products and services of Russia's nuclear industry on the world market, assist in building efficient business alliances, as well as provide marketing and information support.

Rosatom is the only company in the world that has the resources and competencies to offer energy solutions across the nuclear supply chain. It possesses a wide range of assets, including assets in design, construction and operation of nuclear power stations, uranium mining, conversion and enrichment, supply of nuclear fuel, decommissioning, spent fuel storage and transportation and safe nuclear waste disposal. Rosatom is also engaged in the production of equipment and isotope products for the needs of nuclear medicine, scientific research, and materials science, the production of digital and of various nuclear and non-nuclear innovative products. The company’s strategy is to develop low-carbon power generation projects, including in the wind generation field.