Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, May 20, 2026
IBA announced the launch of Rhodotron® LITE, a new low-power X-ray accelerator designed to expand access to sustainable irradiation technologies for medical device sterilization and food irradiation markets. The new system broadens IBA’s industrial X-ray portfolio into the low-capacity segment, offering smaller irradiation service providers and manufacturers an alternative to traditional cobalt-60 gamma irradiation systems..
Low-Power X-Ray System Targets Growing Sterilization Demand
Rhodotron® LITE is designed for small- to medium-throughput irradiation operations, making it suitable for facilities processing approximately 10,000 to 20,000 pallets of medical devices annually. According to IBA, the accelerator is competitive with gamma irradiation centers operating in the 1 to 1.5 MCi cobalt-60 range, while also offering operational flexibility and reduced dependence on radioactive isotope supply chains.
The new accelerator also supports food irradiation applications through its configurable beam-energy system, enabling operation at both 5 MeV and 7 MeV to meet varying global regulatory standards. The company said this flexibility allows operators to adapt the system for different regional compliance requirements while supporting broader industrial sterilization needs.
IBA developed Rhodotron® LITE in response to increasing concerns surrounding the global supply of cobalt-60, a critical isotope widely used in irradiation facilities for sterilization and food safety applications. Supply limitations, aging gamma infrastructure, and growing demand for resilient sterilization capacity have pushed many operators to evaluate alternative technologies capable of supporting long-term operational stability.
Alternative to Cobalt-60 Expands Industry Flexibility
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The company stated that Rhodotron® LITE is positioned for both new irradiation service centers and existing operators seeking to replace aging gamma systems or supplement existing sterilization capacity. Manufacturers may also deploy the system in-house to process products directly on-site, reducing transportation complexity, inventory requirements, and lead-time risks associated with outsourced sterilization services.
According to IBA, bringing irradiation capabilities closer to manufacturing operations could improve quality control, strengthen supply chain resilience, and help companies maintain validated sterilization workflows more efficiently. The company emphasized that healthcare and food industries are increasingly prioritizing predictable processing capacity and sustainable alternatives amid ongoing supply chain disruptions.
Thomas Servais, President of IBA Industrial, said the launch expands industrial X-ray technology into a market segment previously dominated by gamma irradiation systems. He noted that the platform provides a practical solution for organizations seeking a reliable and flexible irradiation option while reducing exposure to cobalt-60 supply constraints and rising operational uncertainty.
IBA added that the system leverages the company’s long-standing expertise in particle accelerator technology and industrial irradiation solutions. The company is recognized globally for its work across proton therapy, industrial sterilization, radiopharmaceutical production, and dosimetry technologies.
Growing Shift Toward Sustainable Irradiation Technologies
The launch reflects a broader industry transition toward non-radioisotope sterilization technologies, particularly as healthcare manufacturers and food processors seek solutions with stronger long-term sustainability profiles. X-ray irradiation systems are increasingly viewed as attractive alternatives because they eliminate dependence on radioactive material logistics while maintaining high sterilization performance across industrial applications.
Industry analysts expect demand for advanced sterilization infrastructure to continue growing as medical device production expands globally and regulatory standards around supply chain security become more stringent. Smaller irradiation facilities are also seeking scalable technologies that allow them to compete more effectively without requiring the large infrastructure investments associated with traditional gamma centers.
With Rhodotron® LITE, IBA is targeting this emerging market segment by offering a lower-capacity system designed to improve accessibility to X-ray irradiation technologies while supporting operational flexibility, sustainability, and supply chain resilience across medical and food processing industries.
Source: IBA press release
