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IMRP20 (Bangkok, Thailand – November 2022)

International Meeting on Radiation Processing (IMRP)

General Overview

IMRP20, the 20th International Meeting on Radiation Processing, was held in Bangkok, Thailand from November 7-11, 2022. Delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants were enthusiastic about reconnecting after this delay. The event featured five days of rich content, attracting 365 attendees from over 40 countries, representing industry, research, academia, and students. Major delegations included the USA (56), South Korea (30), Thailand (28), India (27), and Belgium (24). The event also hosted 23 exhibitors and sponsors from 13 countries, including suppliers of accelerators, gamma irradiators, dosimetry systems, contract irradiation services, and more.

The IMRP20 theme: ‘Where Business and Science Connect’

Find comprehensive coverage of IMRP20 at the ‘Review of IMRP20’ publication.

Regional Sponsors

Mevex, STERIS AST

Program

Pre-IMRP Training Course on Radiation Processing at Kasetsart University

The Pre-IMRP Training Course on Radiation Processing at Kasetsart University was a three-day event featuring 14 lectures and 2 demonstrations on topics such as the basics of radiation processing, fundamental radiation chemistry, radiation cross-linking of thermoplastics and elastomers, radiation-induced polymerization, advanced applications, and the biological effects of radiation processing.

Delivered by international industry professionals, the course was attended by 20 graduate students and young professionals from 13 countries, including Argentina, Germany, India, and the UK. Attendees gained comprehensive insights into the radiation processing of advanced and renewable materials, with most participants also attending the main IMRP20 conference.

Conference overview

iia/WINS Workshop

The iia/WINS Workshop on the security of gamma irradiation facilities was jointly hosted by the International Irradiation Association (iia) and the World Institute of Nuclear Security (WINS). The workshop aimed to share experiences in strengthening gamma irradiator security by encouraging participants to discuss lessons learned, good practices, and remaining challenges in designing and implementing security arrangements for these facilities. This interactive event featured presentations from expert speakers and a detailed Q&A session, and it was attended by 51 delegates from 16 countries.

Technical tours

Technical tours included visits to STERIS AST sites and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) facility.

The STERIS AST site in Chonburi, approximately 80km from Bangkok, features two gamma irradiators and recently expanded to include x-ray irradiation technology. This site supports STERIS customers in Southeast Asia with a technology-neutral service offering that includes radiation and gas processing options. More information can be found here.

The TINT Irradiation Centre, located in the national Technopolis Complex about an hour from Bangkok, is equipped with gamma, e-beam, and x-ray irradiation technologies. This centre is used to treat a wide range of agricultural, food, industrial, and medical products. It also offers various services including microbiological, bioburden, sterilization, and cytotoxicity testing.

Awards

IMRP Laureate Awards

IMRP20 Scientific Laureate Award recipient: Byron Lambert, United States

Byron Lambert received three nominations from prominent community members and three passionate letters of support, highlighting him as a mentor, teacher, and leader who understands his audience and brings out the best in people. A senior sterilisation scientist working in the industry, Byron began his career in 1982 as a graduate research assistant under Professor Joe Silverman, a Laureate award winner in 1987. His career is marked by a long list of academic achievements, publications, patents, and awards. He serves on the AAMI Committee on Standards Strategy and has co-chaired four AAMI working groups responsible for developing radiation sterilisation standards, providing material compatibility guidance, and ensuring sterility. Additionally, Byron contributes to standards development through ISO as the Convenor of the International Working Group responsible for radiation sterilization standards.

IMRP20 Business Laureate Award recipient: Paul Wynne, United Kingdom

Paul Wynne has been in the irradiation industry since 1987, holding various leadership roles with Isotron, which later became Synergy Health before being acquired by STERIS. Trained as a chartered accountant, he has managed operations and projects involving the installation and operation of gamma, electron beam, and ethylene oxide technologies across China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and South Africa. A passionate advocate for irradiation technologies, Paul firmly believes in the global contribution to health, wellbeing, the economy, and the environment. He was one of the founding directors of the International Irradiation Association (iia) in 2004 and became its Director and General Manager in 2011, continually supporting these technologies and their applications. He also played a key role in the creation of SfSAP. At the time of the event, he was serving as the Chairman and Director General of the iia, with the success and respect of the iia and IMRP largely attributed to his leadership.

Poster Awards

  • Best poster (and Research Poster Award): ‘Enhanced bioleaching using electron stimulated bacteria’ Authors: Simone Schopf, Bornkessel Sophie, Scherer Matthias, Dietze Marleen, Ulla König. Medical and Biotechnological Applications, Fraunhofer Institute for Organic Electronics, Electron Beam and Plasma Technology, Dresden, Germany.
  • Industry Poster Award: What is considered conforming product for underdosed radiation-sterilised products? Authors: Martell Winters1, Aaron DeMent2, John Schlecht4, Kevin O’Hara3. 1Nelson Laboratories a division of Sotera Health, Salt Lake, UT, United States; 2Sterigenics a division of Sotera Health, Oak Brook, IL, United States; 3Sterigenics a division of Sotera Health, Ottawa, ON, Canada; 4Sterigenics a division of Sotera Health, Bridgeport, NJ, United States.
  • Student Poster Award: ‘Electron beam processing of poly(acrylic acid) in the synthesis of targeted cancer nano radiopharmaceuticals’ Authors: Beata Rurarz1,2, Joanna Raczkowska1, Kinga Urbanek2, Dominika Habrowska-Gorczynska2, Marta Koziel2, Karolina Kowalska2, Slawomir Kadlubowski1, Michal Maurin3, Agnieszka Sawicka3, Urszula Karczmarczyk3, Agnieszka Piastowska-Ciesielska2, Piotr Ulanski1. 1Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland; 2Department of Cell Cultures and Genomic Analysis, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland; 3Radioisotope Centre POLATOM, National Centre for Nuclear Research, Otwock, Poland.

Committees

Organising Committee:

  • Martin Comben, iia, OC Chair
  • Paul Wynne, iia

Program Committee:

Links to IMRP20 Publication, Photographs, and Videos

Find comprehensive details of IMRP19 by clicking this link to the ‘Review of IMRP20’ publication.

Photographs taken at IMRP20 can be found by viewing this file: IMRP20 Photo Gallery

Videos:



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