TANAY, RIZAL – A new private company, ISI E-Beam, is positioning itself as a key player in enhancing food safety and strengthening Philippine agricultural exports through its advanced electron beam (E-beam) sterilization technology.
In a recent exclusive interview of Tuklasin Natin, Engr. Francis Cyril Valdez, the head of operations for ISI-TPU, detailed the capabilities and mission of the one-year-old facility, which was incorporated in 2022. The company offers contract sterilization services primarily for food, medical devices, frozen goods, herbs, and spices.
ISI E-Beam’s advanced electron beam technology serves a diverse range of critical industries, providing essential microbial load reduction, pathogen elimination, insect disinfestation, and shelf-life extension for the food and agriculture sector; delivering reliable, chemical-free sterilization for medical devices and pharmaceuticals such as single-use gloves, syringes, and surgical meshes; and ensuring the microbial safety of cosmetics and packaging materials through effective decontamination.
E-Beam: Speed, Efficiency, and Safety
At the core of ISI E-Beam’s services is electron beam sterilization, a process described by Engr. Valdez as “a very efficient way of sterilizing goods.” The technology utilizes a powerful X-ray machine that penetrates thick densities of products, which are moved through the irradiation chamber on a conveyor system.
“The beam kills pathogens, microorganisms, bacteria, etc.,” Valdez stated, specifically naming common causes of foodborne illness such as E. coli, salmonella, and staph infection.
A significant advantage highlighted by Valdez is the remarkable speed of the E-beam process compared to traditional methods. While a gamma facility at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) might take 24 hours to sterilize goods, ISI E-Beam can complete the same task in just 30 minutes to one hour. This allows the company to promise a standard three-day turnover time from product delivery to release.
Promising Dose, Ensuring Sterility
The company operates on a precise scientific principle. “We do not promise sterility, we promise dose,” Valdez explained, with the unit of measurement being the kilogray. However, he clarified that dose and sterility are intrinsically linked for industrial application. The company uses dosimetry systems and dose validation to ensure it delivers the specific radiation dosage, such as 3 kilogray, requested by the client.
This process is designed not only to eradicate bacteria but also to maintain the product’s original quality. “If the product is, for example, sweet, it should still be sweet. So no changes whatsoever with the sensory aspects of the product,” Valdez assured.
Boosting Local Agriculture and Export Compliance
A central part of ISI E-Beam’s mission is to “increase the local agricultural strength of the Philippines.” Valdez emphasized that for local farmers and producers to meet the tight testing requirements of international markets, their products “need to come through here.”
The service provides a critical certificate of analysis for exporters, which indicates the bacterial count of shipped goods. “99.99% guaranteed, the bacteria will be removed,” Valdez claimed, solving a key hurdle for businesses facing stringent foreign import regulations.
Addressing Public Concerns and Future Expansion
Acknowledging public apprehension towards unfamiliar technology, Valdez sought to provide reassurance. “We can ensure that the food products that come through our facility are very safe to eat,” he said. The company is fully licensed by the FDA and adheres to both local regulatory requirements and international standards. Products sterilized by the E-beam process are entitled to bear the international Radura symbol—a green logo—on their packaging.
With an annual capacity of up to 20,000 metric tons, the company is already planning for expansion. A master plan for scalability is in place, which includes converting existing empty space in the Tanay facility into another sterilization unit. There are also plans to build a new facility in Davao to cater to commodities like frozen seafood, frozen fruits, and durian, with fresh frozen tuna noted as a strong potential commodity.
Market Context and Global Standing
The global irradiation market, valued at $2.1 billion in 2022, presents a significant and expanding opportunity, particularly in the food sector which is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5% from 2023 to 2030. This robust growth is underpinned by the proven efficacy of electron beam technology, which has already demonstrated transformative results in regional leaders like China and Vietnam, where its application has been instrumental in achieving massive export growth and dramatically extending the shelf-life of sensitive agricultural products.
Positioned to capitalize on this validated international demand, ISI E-BEAM has established itself as the first and only commercial E-Beam sterilization facility in the Philippines, strategically filling a critical gap in the domestic market. By providing this advanced, globally-recognized technology locally, the company empowers Philippine producers and manufacturers to meet stringent international phytosanitary standards, enhance the safety and quality of their goods, and compete effectively in the global export arena, thereby mirroring the success stories seen elsewhere in the region.
Proven Client Satisfaction and Free Trials
The company counts GH Nutri Pharma among its satisfied clients. Engr. Valdez mentioned his close relationship with Sir Patrick Roquel, stating, “Sir Patrick is happy with our services.” ISI E-Beam currently sterilizes GH Nutri Pharma’s Lagundi, Moringa, and Sambong products.
To attract new clients, ISI E-Beam is offering free product qualification. Businesses curious about the technology can bring in their products for free sterilization, needing only to cover the cost of their own analysis test to confirm compatibility and effectiveness.
Core Service: Electron Beam (E-Beam) Sterilization
ISI E-Beam specializes in state-of-the-art Electron Beam Irradiation, a cutting-edge, non-thermal sterilization and decontamination process.
The Technology:
- Equipment: A 10 MeV, 15 kW electron beam linear accelerator.
- Process: A beam of accelerated electrons penetrates products, disrupting the DNA of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, pests, and molds), rendering them inert.
- Key Characteristics:
- Cold Process: No heat damage to products.
- Chemical-Free: Leaves no toxic or chemical residues.
- Switch ON/OFF Technology: No radioactive source, allowing for precise control and enhanced safety.
- High Throughput: Processes 1-3 metric tons per hour via a double-sided roller conveyor.
Precision and Compliance:
Services are backed by precise dosimetry and dose validation to ensure every product receives the exact dose required—from the minimum needed for sterilization to the maximum allowable without compromising quality. The facility is built to comply with local and international standards, including PNS BAFS, DOH, FAO CODEX, and USFDA regulations.
The ISI E-BEAM Advantage
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Eliminates Pathogens | Effectively destroys organisms causing foodborne illness (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli). |
| Pest Control | Kills insects and larvae in agricultural products, meeting international phytosanitary requirements. |
| Extends Shelf-Life | Prolongs product freshness by reducing spoilage-causing bacteria, fungi, and molds. |
| Extremely Fast | Processes products in minutes, unlike slower gamma or ethylene oxide methods which take hours or days. |
| Environmentally Friendly | A clean, green technology with no chemical waste or radioactive source disposal concerns. |
ISI E-Beam is not merely a service provider but a strategic partner dedicated to elevating Philippine industries onto the global stage through innovation, safety, and quality.
ISI E-Beam is located in Tanay, Rizal. More information can be found on their website at https://www.isi-ebeam.com/ or through their Facebook page.#
