Germany-based BGS Beta-Gamma-Service GmbH & Co., a medical equipment manufacturing company, plans to open a facility in Pittsburgh next year.
The facility, which will operate under the name BGS US LLC, will be equipped with highly efficient electron accelerator technology and fully automated product handling systems.
Expanding into the U.S. market allows BGS to strengthen its position in key global medical technology markets. There also has been growing customer interest for the company’s E-Beam technology.
“A lack of sterilization capacity has put pressure on U.S. medical equipment manufacturers and could potentially cause supply bottlenecks,” Dr. Andreas Ostrowicki, of BGS Beta-Gamma-Service managing director, said. “With our new facility in Pittsburgh, we are helping to eliminate them.”
BGS provides radiation sterilization and radiation crosslinking services to multiple industries. These include automotive, biotech, electrical, infrastructure, mechanical engineering, medical technology, packaging, and pharmaceuticals.
In the United States, the most widely used techniques in the sterilization market are gamma irradiation and treatment with ethylene oxide. E-beam sterilization and other alternatives are not widespread.
There are environmental risks associated with ethylene oxide as well as supply chain issues involving Cobalt-60.
Leonard Zuba will serve as general manager of BGS US. He previously was vice president of sales for Raumedic.