Fostering industrial development through radiation technology implementation: Case of Poland

The benefits that society can derive from advances in science and technology are visible nowadays. Knowledge creation and diffusion are increasingly important drivers of innovation, sustainable economic growth and social well-being. Adopting appropriate technologies leads directly to higher productivity, which is the key to growth. Additional requirements are related to the sustainability of adopted technologies which may address different sectors of countries' economy and social aspects of life. A good example of such an approach is the implementation of radiation technologies in Poland. Radiation is an acceptable method for sterilization and has being used for more than five decades. Radiation sterilization of health care products and tissue allograft on a laboratory scale started in Poland in 1963. However the economic impact of this technology on the sector was achieved when the sterilization plant was established 20 years ago. More than 50 million medical, cosmetic and other products are processed each year. Fifty companies are customers and most of them cannot deliver their products without sterilization to hospitals and drug stores. New products like hydro gel wound dressings have been developed for the local market and export. The all tissue graft banks are using this service and more than 12 000 pieces are sterilized annually, which are used for use in orthopedic surgery of 50 000 patients. The IAEA has actively supported radiation technology for sterilization purposes, and has developed and issued many guidelines and standards applicable to radiation sterilization. These regulations and trainings are being implemented by active regional technical cooperation (TC) projects. The other big field of radiation processing is polymer cross linking to form heat shrinkable tubes, tapes and foils. The Institute developed this technology in Poland and a few Polish companies have implemented the process and marketing of the product. The technology, through TC projects, was transferred to Islamic Republic of Iranand Malaysia. New projects regarding the development of fireproof cable and wire insulation are under development. The basis for the last action was a national TC project on radiation processing of materials. The first TC model project was implemented in Poland. The radiation technology for flue gas cleaning was a basis of technological fallout in the power industry, regarding the introduction of PC based automation systems and the development of modern gas composition monitoring structures. Knowledge through IAEA TC projects has been transferred to Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and other countries. The radioisotope leakages testing method applied in petrochemical industry and for pipe control brings million Euros worth savings. The time for inspection of the process equipment after maintenance is reduced from two weeks to one day. The technology prevents oil and petrochemical products leaks to environment. Broad international cooperation in science and technology is vital to meet a large range of global challenges related to economic growth, better health, sustainable development, and enhanced safety and security, Therefore regular budget and TC programmes play complementary, very important roles in radiation technology development and its transfer to the other Member States. (author)