Radiation processing in India - current R and D activities

Radiation processing is an area of vigorous activity in today's India. With the indigenous expertise in 60Co source and irradiator technology, potentially promising applications such as sustained drug delivery systems, vulcanization of natural rubber latex (RVNRL), and degradation of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) are presently investigated. Over the last four years, technologies for RVNRL and PTFE degradation have been scaled up to pilot scale operations, while radiation polymerized polymer systems have been developed for controlled release of certain drugs. With the commissioning of the 2 MeV EB machine in late 1988, a few EB based processes have also been commercially exploited. The paper briefly reviews these and presents the significant results obtained. (author)