Taoiseach formally opens Tullamore electron beam sterilisation facility

Leading contract sterilisation provider, Isotron, has just completed its new electron beam sterilisation facility in Tullamore. An Taoiseach Brian Cowen officially opened the new facility, which cost €8.5m, last Monday. Isotron, which began its Tullamore operation in 1994, sterilizes approximately 60% of all medical device products manufactured in Ireland, with the remaining 40% processed by companies in house or at offshore sterilisation facilities. The new electron beam sterilisation facility provides an alternative to the ethylene oxide gas and gamma irradiation processes currently provided by Isotron in Ireland. This expansion allows Isotron Ireland to offer a "technology neutral" approach for the treatment of its customers" products. The expansion to the Tullamore facility also includes the addition of two more ethylene oxide sterilisation chambers making a total of 13 sterilisers on site serving the Irish medical device manufacturing base. The Tullamore operation was established in 1994 to provide ethylene oxide (Eto) contract sterilisation and laboratory services to the medical device, pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical industries. These services are provided to both multinationals and indigenous companies and operated through 13 ethylene Oxide sterilisation chambers. Speaking at this week"s official opening, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said: 'I am delighted to have been invited to officially open Isotron Ireland"s new electron beam sterilisation facility. This event marks a new chapter in the development of Isotron Ireland. This new facility represents a major investment - €8.5 million - in the Company"s future.' 'Isotron started with 15 employees. Today, it employs 76 people in Tullamore and 11 in Westport; and the Tullamore site is positioned to be one of the world"s largest sterilisation centres. But its significance goes well beyond this. 'As our only sterilisation provider, Isotron is of key infrastructural importance in attracting Medical Technology companies to Ireland,' added Mr Cowen. He said this was a very important industry for Ireland as we have the leading cluster of medical technology industries in Europe and nine of the top ten global companies had significant manufacturing operations here. 'And the great thing is that the sector, worth €280bn globally, is growing at a rate of 7% annually. The Midlands region and Galway in the West are the key locations for the medical device sector. So today"s announcement is good news, not just for Tullamore but for the Midlands and for the country as a whole,' said the Taoiseach. He wished general manager Mr Brian McEvoy every success for the future and assured him of the support of the IDA. Mr Mike O"Neill, Executive Director of the Isotron Group said: 'This is one of the most significant developments for the Isotron Group. It emphasises our continued commitment to the industry in Ireland and ensures our customers are positioned to develop and market high end medical products well into the future. The Irish operations are now viewed as a centre of excellence within the global Isotron Group.' Commenting also on the expansion, Mr Brian McEvoy said: 'The provision of electron beam provides our clients with a sterilisation platform for next generation medical products. 'This technology will bring a new focus to the R&D activities of Isotron Ireland which will ultimately deliver real benefit to our customers.'