Steritech planning investment in x-ray technology for Narangba

 

Steritech’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Murray Lynch, said the company had lodged a Development Application for the Narangba site with the Moreton Bay Council and, if approved, the investment will mean Australian industry will have access to cutting edge sterilisation and decontamination X-ray technology for the first time.

 

The x-ray technology can be used to process a range of products, including medical equipment, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical and veterinary supplies. It can also be used to treat certain foods and other goods for quarantine purposes,” said Mr Lynch.

 

X-ray technology does not use Cobalt-60 or any other isotopes as an energy source. Steritech is not proposing to expand its existing gamma irradiation plant at the Narangba site or increase its use of Cobalt-60.

 

Our plans involve an X-ray machine that is an industrial scale version of the machines used in many hospitals and dental offices. We are excited by the opportunity to bring this technology, which is already widely used in Europe and North America, to Australia.”

 

Steritech is an Australian family owned business. It is a global leader in the field of sterilisation and decontamination with an impeccable safety record across all its operations, including Narangba.

 

The investment involves only a modest expansion of our existing well-managed and secure facility at Narangba. Our proposal does not increase Steritech’s existing land footprint and maintains current land zoning,” said Mr Lynch.

 

We are looking forward to working with the local Narangba community to deliver this project.

 

The development will stimulate local economic activity in the short-term through construction work at the site.  In the longer-term, the investment will support the continued growth of high value Queensland industries, including the medical, pharmaceutical and high-value food sectors, which is consistent with the economic development and innovation strategies of both Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Queensland Government.”

 

For more information contact: 

James Molan or Richard Amos, Royce Communications, 0421 659 679 or 0418 344 978

 

More information on X-ray technology:

 

Steritech is planning to purchase x-ray equipment from an established supplier in Europe or North America.  The equipment will be an industrial scale version of the machines used in many hospitals and dental offices.  In this case, the x-rays act as a source of ionising energy that can kill or sterilise insects, bacteria, micro-organisms and other pathogens.

 

Extensive scientific testing of the technology has demonstrated that X-rays do not affect the safety or quality of products treated, including many foods. The use of this x-ray technology does not induce radioactivity in the treated products, just as an x-ray of the human body does not make a person radioactive.

 

The equipment will be manufactured to the highest safety standards and Steritech will extend its existing systems at Narangba to ensure its employees are able to use the new technology safely and effectively. 

 

Steritech already uses similar technologies at its three treatment facilities in Melbourne, Sydney and Narangba and has an excellent safety record across all sites.