Local and international radiation processing experts visit the irradiation room of ISI E-Beam's, state-of-the-art facility in Tanay, Rizal - the first commercial-scale electron beam irradiation facility in the country.
Experts laud Filipino advances at E-Beam Technology Summit
Exploring the increasing role of radiation processing to improve the country's industrial competitiveness, international specialists met with local researchers, potential investors and members of the media during the Electron Beam Technology Summit from July 24-25, 2025.
The summit, which serves as the main portion of an expert mission by the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA), aims to promote the use of electron beams, or e-beams, in processing various industrial or commercial products, particularly to allow these to pass quality standards for export as well as domestic sale, use and consumption.
In particular, e-beams are being used worldwide for decontaminating food and raw materials, sterilizing medical products, quarantine and phytosanitary treatment of agricultural produce, improving the quality of wires, tires and cables, and extending the shelf-life of all kinds of products.
E-beams boast several advantages over conventional processing methods as well as other irradiators, particularly in ensuring product quality and safety as it eliminates the need for potentially toxic chemicals or excessive heat treatment. In addition, the machine-generated throughput not dependent on natural half-life allows operators to better control and calibrate the dose received by products and samples.
Beyond industrial processing, the technology is also used for a wide range of R&D applications, including degradation of various materials, polymer crosslinking and radiation grafting, among others.
Experts praised the Philippines' milestones in e-beam technology which in turn has opened the doors to many applications, while also stimulating economic development.
These include the successful commercialization of radiation-processed carrageenan plant growth promoters the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI), as well as the establishment of the first fully-commercial irradiation facility in the country by Irradiation Solutions, Inc. (ISI E-BEAM).
“Indeed, ionizing radiation has long since been a boon to various sectors. Beyond its well-known uses in the medical sector, this technology has also been making strides in the agricultural and industrial fields,” said DOST Secretary Renato Solidum in his message to the participants.”
“As one of the leading advances in nuclear science and technology, the sheer width and diversity of its applications make it relevant, if not an indispensable contributor, in building the key pillars of the DOST.”
The event was organized by DOST-PNRI in partnership with ISI E-BEAM., and in collaboration with several agencies under the United States Department of Energy, and the Texas A&M University.
Among the attendees are representatives from various government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry and the National Development Company, as well as officials from local government units such as DOST XII – South Cotabato Provincial Office, financial institutions and other interested parties who see the potential economic and commercial value of investing in the technology.
After the presentations and panel discussions at Seda Vertis North, the participants were able to visit PNRI’s pioneering irradiation sites, the PHILGamma and Electron Beam Irradiation Facilities.
While the former utilizes gamma rays from Cobalt-60 and has been operating since its first iteration in 1989, the Institute’s E-Beam was inaugurated in 2014, the first of its kind in the country dedicated for research as well as semi-commercial services.
They later visited ISI E-BEAM’s state-of-the-art facility in Tanay, Rizal. Operating up to 10 MeV energy and processing up to three metric tons’ worth of products per hour, the facility also boasts its own cold and dry storage areas.
(Left photo, clockwise from top left) PNRI Irradiation Services Section Head Ms. Haydee Solomon, ISI E-BEAM President Mr. Paul Francis Juat, and PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcila were among the speakers during the summit’s first day at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City
The international experts and participants visited the irradiation facilities of PNRI (above) and ISI E-BEAM (below)
