The importance of an industry association increases during periods of change. News that Reviss was ceasing to trade and that Sterigenics are acquiring Nordion resulted in the Association being contacted by members seeking information and clarification. During recent weeks we met with JSC Isotope who are replacing Reviss as supplier of Russian cobalt. We were able to provide members with information about key contacts at JSC as well as answering questions and undertaking enquiries on their behalf. We are pleased that JSC Isotope along with Gamma Services Recycling have become members of iia. Details about both companies will shortly be posted in the members listing on the iia website.

BRIT (iia Member in India) has announced that they have installed two new gamma plants. In other parts of the world several new plants are known to be under consideration but decisions are being delayed until the impact recent industry developments becomes clear. 

There is a growing interest in X-Ray technology. Nutek (iia Member based in San Francisco) has recently announced that they are building a new X-Ray, electron beam, and ethylene oxide facility and IBA (also a iia Member) have announced that they are delivering a Rhodotron DUO (X-Ray and electron beam machine) to Austria. Interest in electron beam technology is also increasing as evidenced by comments made at a recent IAEA meeting which was attended by a broad international group of users and suppliers. 

In this refreshed format newsletter we are introducing a section that will allow us to highlight the work of member organisations and that will offer limited advertising opportunities for those who wish to promote their businesses to our expanding readership. 

Paul Wynne

Editor: pwynne@iiaglobal.com 

News that Sterigenics are acquiring Nordion and that Reviss is ceasing to trade raised questions for those operating in the industry. 

The announcement that Sterigenics had reached a definitive agreement to acquire Nordion at the end of March was followed by a series of further announcements as the purchase price was increased in response to an approach by a unspecified third party. On the 2nd June Nordion announced that the latest revised offer from Sterigenics was US$ 805m, US$ 13 per share. This was subsequently approved by Nordion shareholders on 6 June. The transaction was subject to a number of approvals. The process is on-going but the approvals are being received and the transaction expected to be completed during the next few months. Readers who require more information about the transaction should visit the iia website and follow the links to various press releases that have been made and which provide detailed information about the transaction.

As reported iia held discussions with JSC Isotope. A general briefing paper about cobalt supply and JSC Isotope was prepared. This was made available for members and can be accessed by visiting the iia website. 

Information about JSC Isotope and Gamma Services Recycling along with their contact details will shortly appear on the iia website in the members listing.

The International Irradiation Association will once again contribute a Scientific Award at IRaP 2014 (Ionizing Radiation and Polymers). The Award will be granted to the student/students who will have presented the best novel research in the field of polymer science. The Award will include an invitation to attend and present at the next International Meeting on Radiation Processing - IMRP 2016 together with a travel bursary.