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Wiehl, 19 July 2022 – BGS Beta-Gamma-Service extends an invitation to the BGS Irradiation Service Days (ISD) for the second time in a row: On 28 and 29 September, experts will be discussing trends and current themes revolving round the application of electrons and gamma rays for the sterilization of medical devices and products used in biotechnology, as well as for crosslinking plastics. Together with live conferences and discussions, the interactive and virtual fair offers six exhibition halls with guided tours and possibilities for a personal exchange with experts. Participation in the ISDbyBGS is free of charge. Registration is now possible via the event website at www.bgs.eu/isd22. 

ISDbyBGS is a two-day virtual event over the course of which more than 20 experts from business, industry, research and associations will be discussing themes from the world of radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking. The live presentations, interviews and discussion groups conducted in German and partly in English will be complemented by a virtual trade fair at which visitors will find further information and possibilities to download numerous materials in different spaces, and be able to arrange talks with experts. At the first ISDbyBGS 2021, more than 350 experts took part and informed themselves about processes and implementation options using radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking.

With a focus on the transfer of knowledge, service and support in carrying out sterilization processes, ISDbyBGS will largely be addressing a professional audience from the field of medicine technology, in-vitro diagnostics and the biotechnology industry on 28 September. On 29 September, we invite experts, in particular from the automotive industry, machine construction and cable and pipe sector, to exchange ideas on the potential of radiation crosslinking, for example, for e-mobility, 3-D printing or for bio-based plastics, and to find out more about recycling of crosslinked polyamides.

Virtual guided tours and exclusive white papers as trade fair highlights
Numerous videos, graphics and brochures are available during the virtual fair as well as for downloading by all participants free of charge. Another highlight are the live guided virtual tours at our BGS location in Bruchsal.

Lab extension starts up at headquarters in Wiehl, spaces for logistics and production will also be created

Wiehl, 8 June 2022 – BGS, specialised provider in the area of radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking, is expanding its halls for logistics and production in Wiehl (NRW). In order to meet the increased material testing requirements for radiation crosslinking, the company is also investing in the extension of a new laboratory. With the announced extended storage capacities, BGS is responding in particular to the increased need for sterilization services in the sectors of biotechnology, medicine and diagnostics. Overall, BGS is investing a seven-digit amount in the expansion. The additionally planned spaces amount to 1,000 sq m.

“The demand for sterilization capacities is rising steadily. Continuously more orders for crosslinking are being placed at our headquarters in Wiehl. After the move to our new administration quarters in 2020, it is an ideal time to consolidate the freed up space, improve the internal flow of goods in the process, and use the new capacities optimally for the further growth of our company,” explains managing director Dr. Andreas Ostrowicki. “The material testing requirements are also increasing commensurate with the rising number of orders for crosslinking services. With our new spatial possibilities and cutting-edge test equipment, BGS is well prepared to meet the increased requirements.” Depending on the product and the respective area of application, BGS carries out the relevant test procedures such as measuring the degree of crosslinking as well as rheological measurements, amongst others, for customers from the automotive industry, machine construction and the cable and pipe industry. The completion of all construction measures is planned for the first quarter of 2023.

New laboratory supports R & D activities of the medium-sized company

The new equipment and possibilities in the laboratory also benefit the research and development department at BGS. “The focus of our R & D activities at present is the development of new, crosslinkable materials, alternative crosslinking aids and solutions for the sustainability of radiation-crosslinked parts and components,” declares managing director Ostrowicki. “As part of the German innovation network ZIM (Central Innovation Programme) MED-IG-4.0, we are additionally working to further accelerate the progress of the Internet of Things in the medical sector: For example, together with 22 other medium-sized enterprises, we analyse the need for intelligent products and systems from thermoplastic materials, develop new products and improve existing solutions.”

This year, for the first time, Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. (Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) awarded BGS the seal “Innovative through Research” for its achievements in the area of research and development.

The conditions in electric vehicles place high demands on the materials used. Therefore, automakers and suppliers must resort to expensive, high-performance plastics. For many applications, cost-effective alternatives are whose properties have been greatly improved by means of treatment with high-energy electron beams. What are the special challenges in electric vehicles and what added value can radiation crosslinking offer?

The complete article is available for download as a PDF here. The German version of the article can be found here.

Furthermore, you can find the publication of the article on the German website of Kunststoffe and on the English website of Kunststoffe (Authors: Dr. Michal Daněk & Wilhelm Schneider / BGS).

Source image: © iStock; Phantom1311, Sven Loeffler, BanksPhotos, Zorazhuang, Songsak Paname, Supersmario

Our company is focused on the satisfaction of our customers and the high quality of our services. In order to fulfil this quality claim, we have our company monitored annually by the German Institute for Audits and Certifications of Management Systems (Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Zertifizierung von Managementsystemen [DQS Med GmbH]) within the context of the ISO 9001, ISO 13485 as well as the ISO 11137 certification.

This year’s surveillance audit was carried out over a total of seven days in February 2022 at the three BGS locations Wiehl, Bruchsal and Saal a.d. Donau. As in previous years, BGS meets all the requirements of the aforementioned standards DIN EN ISO 9001, DIN EN ISO 13485 and DIN EN ISO 11137.

A summary of the certifications

DIN EN ISO 9001

• DIN EN ISO 9001 is an international standard which attests a high quality claim towards customers and third parties.
• The certification serves as a specifications catalogue for our quality management system.
• By complying with and implementing the test criteria, BGS benefits from optimised in-house processes, conservation of resources and increased customer and employee satisfaction.
• The goal of the standard is to understand and implement the demands placed on the company by interested parties.

DIN EN ISO 13485 and DIN EN ISO 11137

• DIN EN ISO 13485 is an international standard for the quality management system of medical devices whose objective is patient safety. It contains detailed demands on topics such as the architecture, manufacture and placing of medical devices on the market, and it establishes the basis for cooperation between manufacturers and suppliers.
• In addition, DIN EN ISO 11137 determines the requirements for the development, validation and routine control of the application of a radiation sterilization process for medical devices.

In implementing the changeover to the Medical Device Regulation (MDR), it is crucial in medical technology to have a critical supplier with certified quality management as this is relevant for registration. Both certifications furnish proof of the reliability and safety of the radiation sterilization service provided by BGS.

We are very pleased with the excellent results of the audit and will continue to have our company’s processes and structures reviewed through annual surveillance audits and certification measures in order to continuously develop our competence and expertise. You will find further information on our certifications here.

Solid growth at BGS Beta-Gamma-Service is impressive

Wiehl, 23 February 2022 – As a result of the sustained market growth in the medical technology and biotechnology industries as well as increased demand in the building sector and the automotive industry, the irradiation provider BGS Beta-Gamma-Service continues to record positive sustainable business development. Specialised in applications using electrons and beta and gamma rays, the medium-sized company with its locations in Wiehl, Bruchsal and Saal a.d. Donau closed the financial year 2021 with a total turnover increase in the double-digit percentage range. With double-digit growth rates, BGS recorded an increase in the business segment radiation sterilization particularly with regard to biotechnology products. In addition, the ongoing upswing in the building sector and the expansion of e-mobility ensured a positive development in turnover in the radiation crosslinking segment.

Apart from bioreactors for the production of vaccines and culture media for microbiological testing, medical devices had a particular share in the growth of revenue such as disposable products for laboratory and diagnostics purposes, which are used in the scope of evaluating Covid-19 tests. Intensified demand was registered in the automotive industry and the building sector for the treatment of cables, thus improving their insulation and chemical resistance properties.

With the higher-than-anticipated revenues in total, the positive trend of the last years in the company continued. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have recorded an increased demand for products in the biotechnology sector, consumable materials for laboratories and primary packaging material for the pharmaceutical industry. Due to a backlog of operations and operations taking place again regularly, the sterilization capacities are in strong demand for medical disposable products as well as implants. As a matter of principle, sterilization with rays is an indispensable method to create sterile products for the healthcare system, and especially in times of the pandemic, it is a systemically relevant service. Through the treatment with high-energy beta or gamma rays, we also improve the material properties of inexpensive plastics in such a way that they become permanently more resistant to heat, wear and chemicals. By virtue of their high quality and performance efficiency, they are in increasing demand, particularly for the expansion of e-mobility. As soon as the supply situation for technical plastics has returned to normal, we expect further growth here,” explains BGS Managing Director Dr. Andreas Ostrowicki. The company sees rising energy costs as a challenge in the current financial year.

Investments in production areas planned
Due to the increasing need for irradiation services, the company is continually investing in the expansion of its capacities. In the current financial year, the production spaces will be expanded at the foundation location of BGS in Wiehl, North Rhine-Westphalia. Overall, BGS Beta-Gamma-Service plans investments in the seven-digit range.

Exclusive white papers, PDFs and videos for all presentation topics now available free of charge

Wiehl, 07 October 2021 – With the BGS Irradiation Service Days (ISD), BGS Beta-Gamma-Service successfully conducted its first virtual trade fair on 29 /30 September 2021 on the topics of radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking. With more than 350 participants, experts from business, research and associations analysed current trends and topics in presentations, discussion groups and guided virtual tours revolving around the application of beta and gamma rays for the sterilization of products in medicine technology and biotechnology and also for the crosslinking of plastics. Exclusive white papers, PDFs and videos on all presentation topics may be called up free of charge until September 2022 after registering on our virtual trade fair platform at https://bgs-isd.expo-ip.com/.

“Transfer of knowledge and the personal exchange with customers and technical experts in research facilities and associations mean a great deal to us. Following the motto, “energy that changes everything”, we actively raise awareness for the topics of radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking. Due to the pandemic and the associated contact restrictions as well as cancelled trade fairs, this concept of services was relegated to the backseat in the past months. We are all the more pleased to have created an innovative and sustainable format with the Irradiation Service Days in the context of which we can combine live conferences and a virtual trade fair and make them accessible to a large group of interested people independent of the location,” explains Managing Director of BGS Dr. Andreas Ostrowicki.

For one year: Material for downloading free of charge
As of today, video recordings of all presentations during the two-day event are available in the virtual trade fair spaces. In addition, a number of exclusive white papers and complementary material can be downloaded free of charge. After registering at https://bgs-isd.expo-ip.com/, those who are interested will find further material as well as the recordings of the live conferences.

Wiehl, 02 September 2021 – BGS Beta-Gamma-Service is presenting a virtual trade fair this year for the first time. BGS Irradiation Service Days (ISD) will take place on 29 and 30 September and focus on radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking. With six virtual fair spaces and live conferences and discussions, the interactive fair offers guided tours and possibilities for a personal exchange with experts. The topics on 29.09. are aimed at a trade audience from the medical technology and biotechnology sectors, and on 30.09. at a trade audience from the automotive, mechanical engineering, cable and electrical industries. Participation in the BGS ISD is free of charge. Registration is now possible via the event website at https://en.bgs.eu/isd21/.

The BGS ISD is a two-day virtual event over the course of which more than 15 experts from business, industry, research and associations will be presenting themes from the world of radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking. The live presentations, interviews and discussion groups conducted in German and partly in English will be complemented by a virtual trade fair where visitors can find further information and numerous download materials in virtual spaces, and arrange talks with experts.

Focus on radiation sterilization on 29 September

On 29 September, radiation sterilization will be the focus in the afternoon. Current themes will be introduced and range from comparisons between different sterilization methods, the five factors for a successful validation, optimisation possibilities of logistics processes right up to best-practice examples. “In medical diagnostics and the safe application of medical devices, sterility is absolutely essential. A theoretical probability of less than one in one million that a viable microorganism is present: this is how the standard DIN EN 556 defines the sterile condition of a medical device. At the BGS ISD, we will use live presentations, digital descriptions and knowledge transfer to show how sterilization processes can be carried out successfully and efficiently,” explains Managing Director of BGS Dr. Andreas Ostrowick. In addition to contributions from BGS, the BGS ISD also present numerous external lectures, for example from the International Irradiation Association, AERIAL, GfPS Gesellschaft für Produktionshygiene und Sterilitätssicherung mbH or Medical Mountains. Experts will discuss, among other things, methods and the market, the future of cobalt-60 supply and alternatives to gamma irradiation, as well as the typical workflow of irradiation processes.

Focus on radiation crosslinking on 30 September

In the morning on 30 September, plastics technology and radiation crosslinking will be the main focus: As the largest provider of industrial irradiation services in Germany, BGS will be offering presentations and discussions at the virtual fair on the use of radiation crosslinking and its possibilities, for example, in the area of e-mobility. Experts will demonstrate in which applications crosslinked thermoplastics can replace high-performance plastics. “E-mobility, cable technology and digitalisation continually pose new challenges for the materials used, in particular, with regard to weight, temperature resistance and duration. The properties of commodity plastics and technical plastics can be substantially improved to meet the increasing demands. At the BGS ISD, we will demonstrate in many ways the potential that radiation crosslinking offers for corresponding applications,” says Ostrowicki. Renowned experts such as Prof. Martin Bonnet, Professor of Materials Engineering and Plastics at the Technical University of Cologne, Dipl. Ing. Uwe Stenglin from Rotfeld Consulting or Prof. Ulrich Bruhnke, CEO TechMAG AG, will provide insights into the future of polymer materials, address the challenges of e-mobility for components and materials and discuss the opportunities of radiation crosslinking for additive manufacturing.

Trade fair highlights

Additionally, a guided virtual tour of the production and logistics halls at BGS’s headquarters in Wiehl will form the highlight at the trade show. Participants can view the four electron accelerators as well as the 5 MCi strong cobalt-60 gamma facility, and will be able to ask questions live.

Registrations are possible free of charge at https://en.bgs.eu/isd21/.