Present status of and problems with technical cooperation concerning radiation processing

Developing countries have great interest in the use of radiation for processes such as modification of polymer materials through crosslinking and graft copolymerization, food irradiation, and radiation sterilization. They are strongly calling for Japan's cooperation in improving their technical basis and training personel. The Takasaki Laboratory of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute has been working positively to offer cooperation to these nations. As its major activities, the laboratory has been involved in the IAEA/RCA programme, bilateral research cooperation, and atomic energy information exchange projects. Specifically, the laboratory has been providing cooperation to the research on radiation vulcanization, curing and crosslinking of natural rubber latex under the radiation processing sub-project of the IAEA/RCA programme, as well as to the food irradiation sub-project of the programme. The Institute has been engaged in developing new applications of radiation to permit effective use of biological resources. Bilateral cooperation activities in this field have been under way with Indonesia and Malaysia. This report also addresses some problems with cooperation activities concerning personnel training, equipment supply etc. (Nogami, K.)