 991236 IBA to Expand Cold Pasteurisation in USADecember 20, 1999 Brussels - Ion Beam Applications, a Belgian maker of particle accelerators, said it is investing more than $30 million in its meat and poultry pasteurisation network in the United States. The U.S. Agriculture Department earlier this week approved the use of pasteurisation of meat to improve food safety by eliminating or dramatically reducing the presence of harmful micro-organisms. A company spokeswoman said the investment figure includes a new X-ray test centre in Long Island, New York, which is already under construction, as well as three new commercial processing centres and the adaptation of five existing centres to handle meat and poultry pasteurisation. The company has initiated an inspection process by the U.S. Agriculture Department to allow poultry and meat pasteurisation at the five existing centres. Eric de LaMotte, chief financial officer for Ion Beam, whose particle acceleration technology is used for sterilisation of both food and medical devices and for treatment of prostate cancer, said the expansion plans will not cause an increase in forecast turnover in 2000. “Not really, because 2000 will be primarily a year of testing,” he told Reuters by phone. Thierry Hazevoets, an analyst with ING Barings, said the expansion is proof of Ion Beam's commitment to the business. “It's an enormous opportunity, but not the most important contributor short term,” Hazevoets said. Medical devices remain Ion Beam's most important business in the short term. But Hazevoets said food sterilisation and pasteurisation could become the most important business sector for Ion Beam in five to 10 years' time. He said he would not change his 2000 forecasts for the company, but continues to rate Ion Beam as a “buy.”
|
