SteriGenics Expands into Thailand

SteriGenics International, Inc. (Fremont, CA) has signed a definitive agreement to purchase land and a building in Laem Chaebang, Thailand, on which the company plans to develop an irradiation facility offering multiple processing technologies. Subject to customary conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the first calendar quarter 1999.

According to James Clouser, president and CEO, the irradiation complex is expected to offer both gamma and electron beam technologies and has a planned capacity equivalent to 11 million curies of cobalt and upward of 90 kW of electron beam power.

"We began reviewing opportunities in Thailand several years ago, but felt that our technology and expectations were not in line with the market opportunities at that time," said Clouser. "However, we have maintained our surveillance of the Thailand market and believe that the trends are now such that, combined with our technology advancements—specifically the development of the MiniCell—there are significant opportunities in the Thai market."

Plans for the Thailand facility provide for future expansion and include a state-of-the-art irradiation processing campus, featuring both gamma and electron beam technologies. Initially, SteriGenics expects to install the company's MiniCell irradiation system within the property's newly constructed building. Within three to six months following completion of the MiniCell, SteriGenics expects to add an electron beam accelerator to the operation.