Frequently asked Questions

Here, we answer the most frequently asked questions about our BGS range of services.

Will my products be radioactive after the irradiation at BGS?

For physical reasons, the radiation can only trigger chemical reactions in the products irradiated. The energy levels used in the BGS plants are too low to generate radioactivity in products.

Is there a waiting time for products before they are used after irradiation?

After the irradiation process, BGS checks by means of the dosimeters affixed to the product that the correct dose has been applied. After this, the products are ready for use without any waiting time.

Which types of packaging can be used for the irradiation of my products?

The radiation used by BGS acts through the packaging. There is great flexibility of packaging types and materials, ranging from boxes, bags, pouches up to whole pallets. The decision for the optimal packaging is of great importance to achieve a homogenous application of the dose and good process efficiency. Key considerations in this regard include the density in the packaging and the number of units/pieces per packaging. Since BGS uses automated systems for the processing of your products, this provides the preferred option for cost reasons. Our specialists will be happy to advise you about the possibilities.

At which temperatures does the irradiation of my products take place?

Depending on the radiation dose applied, there is no significant heat-up of the products during radiation. At higher doses that are normally required for crosslinking, a slight temperature increase will occur.

What is the meaning of the terms “MeV” and “kGy”?

The energy of the rays is expressed in millions of electron volts, which describes the strength of the electrical field to accelerate the electrons. It is directly correlated to the penetration capability of the rays. It is limited to a maximum of 10 MeV through the design of our plants to avoid activation of products. The dose (or amount) of radiation is expressed by the unit Gray (Gy), which depends on the desired effect to be achieved by the radiation. For sterilization purposes, a dose in the range of 25 kGy is often sufficient, whereas for crosslinking doses higher than 100 kGy are typically required.

My products are currently sterilized with gamma rays. Is it possible to switch to eBeam (beta) radiation?

First of all, both types of radiation will have the same result and are suitable for this purpose. If you wish to switch to eBeam treatment, a first check should be carried out if the density and packing schemes of your products are suitable for eBeam treatment. Our experts will be happy to assist you here. In order to switch over, a new process validation (PQ) and parts of a microbiological validation must be conducted.

How much time is generally required from receipt of delivery up to the dispatch of delivery?

The usual cycle time at BGS is between 5 and 10 days. Depending on the volumes and utilization of the plants, we can offer you express treatment within 24 hours subject to separately agreed conditions.

In which forms can products be delivered for treatment in the BGS plants?

Products or raw materials can be delivered as packaged units, bulk goods or coiled endless strings, profiles or pipes. BGS accepts industrial packages such as cardboard boxes on standard pallets, pallets, bulk goods in reusable containers or coiled products on standard drums. We can also accept special forms such as pipes on transport racks or other forms. Please contact our experts. For safety reasons, we will not accept flammable liquids or pressurized containers at our plants.

Which sizes and dimensions can be treated at BGS?

The usual form of delivery is on Euro pallets (80 x 120 cm), whereas it is also possible to treat dimensions up to a maximum of 12 m x 1.6 m, depending on the weight and quality.

Is the eBeam treatment limited to the surface of products?

No, depending on the material density and energy of the electron beam, the penetration capability of the rays is up to several centimeters. This allows a reliable modification of components with substantial material thickness, which may also contain metal components.

How high is the reproducibility and reliability of a treatment with accelerated electrons?

BGS has developed plant and maintenance systems that guarantee high reliability. In most cases, redundant production facilities are available to ensure a continuous high availability of our production capacity. The reproducibility of the eBeam process is extremely high, as all parameters constitute physical characteristics which are electrically controlled and documented.

Will BGS guarantee the final properties of my products after the crosslinking process?

We assure you that the applied dose and processing conditions for your products meet the highest reproducibility. However, we are not able to guarantee final product properties as this depends on numerous parameters beyond our control. This includes for example processing fluctuations during production as well as fluctuations in the raw material quality or composition on which we have no influence.