Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Shar Parto Iranian Co. (SPI) as a member of International Irradiation Association (iia) knows his responsibility for the safety of all individuals around the world. To reach this goal, SPI Co. utilizes eco-friendly irradiation technologies in order to improve the health and well-being of the society.

In this way, SPI Co. warmly welcomes all professionals of irradiation community (gamma, x-ray, and e-beam) to come along with us for playing a viable role in the public health.

Figure 1- CEO of SPI Co.

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Introduction:

According to the statistics made by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Iran

is a predominantly agricultural country [1]. Iran ranks 3rd on diversity of agricultural products in the

world and ranks 1st in fruit production in the Middle East and North Africa [2]. Iran has also certain

strategic agricultural products for export such as saffron, pistachios, and date that the limitation of using

chemical substances (e.g. Methyl Bromide) for their preservation as a result of Montreal protocol have

severely reduced their export. Radiation processing, however, due to its eco-friendly and unique features

can play a significant role to increase the export of such agricultural products throughout the world.

Consequently, food irradiation is a major market area in Iran for applications of radiation processing.

Figure 2- Applications of nuclear technology in Iran’s agriculture section

Current status of irradiation industry in Iran: Our investigations at Shar Parto Iranian company (SPI Co.) show that the trend of radiation processing

industry in Iran is growing rapidly. Currently, there are just two irradiation centers under operation in

Iran.

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

The history of radiation processing in Iran dates back to the establishment of Gamma Irradiation Center

(GIC), IR-136 in 1985 in Tehran. Furthermore, Yazd Radiation Processing Centre (YRPC) was also

launched in January 1998 which uses E-Beam technology. Both of these centers are subordination

to Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI). Food irradiation, radio sterilization of medical products

and to some extent polymer modification is performed in these centers with the total irradiated volume

about 36,000 cubic meters per year.

The promising news is that the there are two irradiation centers being operated in the year 2017. The first

indigenous multipurpose gamma irradiation facility named Bonab Industrial Irradiation Unit (BIIU)

with the annual throughput of 50,000 cubic meters. Additionally, the second and the biggest multipurpose

gamma irradiation facility in Iran named Shahr-e Kord Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility

(SMGIF) with the throughput of 100,000 cubic meters which will be put into full operation by SPI Co.

(Private Joint Stock Co.) in the heart of Iran, Special Economic Zone of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari

Province. The main objectives of these multipurpose gamma irradiation facilities will be gamma

sterilization of health care products and food irradiation. By operation of these two facilities, the Iran's

total throughput of the irradiated products will rise to 186,000 cubic meters per year. Additionally, SPI

Co. has also been issued two other principal approvals by AEOI for construction of two more irradiation

plants in the country.

Irradiation facilities in Iran:

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 3- 3D Schematic view of Shahr-e-Kord Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility, Shahr-e-Kord Under Construction and will be operated in mid-2017

Capacity: 2 MCi Co-60 Run by Shar Parto Iranian (SPI) _ Private Joint Stock Co.

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 4- last pictures of Shahr-e-Kord Multipurpose Gamma Irradiation Facility

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 5- Bonab Industrial Irradiation Unit, Bonab (Type: Gamma)

Operated in 2016 (In trial)

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 6- Gamma Irradiation Center (GIC), Tehran

Established in 1985

Figure 7- Yazd Radiation Processing Centre (YRPC), Yazd (Type: E-Beam)

Established in 1998

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Irradiated products:

The following is a table of the types and categories of the most common products irradiated in Iran. It is worth to mention that labeling is not mandatory for food products (by Radura logo) in Iran but for medical items. Anyway, I will provide some pictures of gamma sterilized medical devices together with food irradiated products treated in Iran after the table.

Category No. Food products Medical items

1 Spices Baby powder

2 Dried vegetables Suture

3 Herbs Cosmetics

4 Starch Drug intermediates

5 Cereal Vaseline Gauze

6 Shallot Sterile gauze

7 Onion Disposable clothing

8 Rice flour Food packing

9 Tea Dental floss

10 Cumin Medicine bottles

11 Pepper Surgery gloves

12 Mushroom Bandage

13 Celery Bone powder

14 Flowers Eye patch

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

15 Ginger Implant

16 Soup Syringe & Needle

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 8- Various semi-ready soups made by Amadeh Laziz Co.; some of their ingredients are irradiated by gamma radiation to eliminate their microbial load.

Curtesy: http://en.amadehlaziz.com/

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 9- Sterile gauze

Figure 10- Sterile gauze

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 11- Vaseline Gauze

.

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

Figure 12- Picture of medical products which were gamma sterilized at Gamma Irradiation Center

Figure 13- Picture of medical products which were gamma sterilized at Gamma Irradiation Center

Shar Parto Iranian Co.

References:

[1] http://www.fao.org/iran/fao-in-iran/iran-at-a-glance/en/.

[2] http://www.tpo.ir/index.aspx?fkeyid=&siteid=1&pageid=6479.