The document was signed on the sidelines of the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi by CEO of the United Innovation Corporation Denis Cherednichenko on behalf of Russia and by the chairman of HINDUSTAN AGRO CO-OP LIMITED Bharat Dhokane Pandurang on behalf of India.
The project provides for a stepwise establishment and development of a network of integrated infrastructural irradiation centers in India to be managed by a joint Russian-Indian venture.
“Radiation treatment of food products is one of various applications of state-of-the-art radiation technologies offered by ROSATOM to its foreign partners. The use of this technology will make it possible to reduce the loss of onions in India, which currently go bad because of germination and inadequate storage, by 42,000 tons per year on average, as well as to reduce grain losses from 15% to 3-5% per year,” said Denis Cherednichenko.
According to him, radiation technologies are widespread throughout the world.
“As of today, 22 countries, including France, Germany, Finland, Japan, China, Korea, India and the UK, use about 515 radiation plants involving Russian technologies,” he emphasized.
“Russia has a deep expertise in this field; it has also been our reliable partner for a long time, and we hope that this project will make us closer to solving global problems of sustainable development and help India become a center of radiation technologies in the Asian region,” added Bharat Dhokane Pandurang, Chairman of Hindustan Agro Co-Op Limited.
The first phase of the project includes construction and commissioning of 7 radiation treatment centers in India. As part of bilateral cooperation, the parties consider opportunities to extend a network of integrated irradiation centers into the UAE, Republic of Mauritius and Malaysia. Irradiation doses are recommended by the IAEA, so that the final product is absolutely safe. Irradiation does not reduce the nutritional value of food products and does not change their taste or appearance.
About United Corporation for Innovations
United Corporation for Innovations (UCI) was founded in 2011 as a 100% subsidiary of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation.
As of today, UCI operates in three socially important hi-tech areas:
• Nuclear medicine, particularly integration of special-purpose equipment made by Rosatom Group companies, production of medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, and integrated solutions for nuclear medical centers.
• Multi-functional radiation treatment centers, including integrated solutions and radiation equipment supplies for radiation treatment and sterilization centers.
• Environmental protection, including hazardous medical and solid domestic waste management, integrated water treatment solutions, and other applications of radiation technologies.
