Bioburden Reduction
Mercury Plastics provides electron beam (e-beam) bioburden reduction services that help manufacturers, laboratories, and other various users lower microbial counts to safe, acceptable levels. Using high-energy e-beam processing, we are able to lower the level of microorganisms without chemicals, heat, or residual radiation—enhancing product safety, extending shelf life, and supporting compliance with industry standards.
What Is Bioburden Reduction?
Bioburden reduction is the controlled use of electron beam irradiation to lower the number of viable microorganisms on or within a product to a safe, pre-defined level. It is not sterilization but rather a targeted reduction process designed for industrial and commercial applications where full sterilization is unnecessary or cost-prohibitive.
The process works by delivering a calibrated dose of high-energy electrons (measured in kilograys or megarads) that disrupts microbial DNA, rendering organisms inactive. Because it is a non-thermal and non-chemical method, it preserves the physical and functional integrity of the treated product—ideal for sensitive materials or components.
Bioburden Reduction Benefits
Reduces microbial load without heat or chemical exposure
Extends product shelf life and improves safety
Enhances contamination control and quality assurance
Supports compliance with food safety, laboratory, and industry standards
Environmentally responsible with no harmful residues or byproducts
Applications of Bioburden Reduction
Mercury’s electron beam bioburden reduction services support a range of industrial, laboratory, and agricultural applications.
Labware & Glassware
Pet and Agricultural Products
Pet food, bedding, treats, toys, and other products can be treated to reduce microbial content, enhancing product safety and extending shelf life.
Packaging Materials
Plastics components, including bags, bottles, films and foils can be processed in order to prevent the contamination of the final product.
About Us
Why Choose Mercury Plastics?
Mercury Plastics delivers a unique combination of technical expertise, flexible capacity, and responsive service that outperforms typical irradiation providers.
Engineering Partnership
We collaborate from testing through production to optimize dose levels and achieve reliable, verifiable microbial reduction.
High-Capacity Processing
Two high-energy beams (5 MeV and 10 MeV) accommodate a wide range of product sizes, densities, and packaging formats.
Dual Material Handling Systems
A cart system for boxed products and a reel-to-reel system for continuous materials ensure throughput efficiency.
Reliable Turnaround
Standard lead times of 7–10 working days, compared to competitors’ 3–4 week queues.
Bioburden Reduction FAQs
Is bioburden reduction the same as sterilization?
No. Bioburden reduction decreases microbial levels to a defined, acceptable threshold—it is not full sterilization. Mercury focuses on industrial and commercial bioburden reduction, not medical device sterilization.
What types of products can be treated for bioburden reduction?
Typical candidates include:
- Labware, glassware, and consumables
- Pet food, toys, and bedding
- Packaging materials
- Industrial or consumer products requiring microbial control
What is a “dose” in e-beam processing?
In e-beam processing, dose is the amount of energy delivered to a product — measured in kilograys (kGy) or megarads (Mrad). The right dose is critical for achieving optimal level of performance.
Mercury’s in-house engineering team calculates the precise dose for each product and verifies results through testing and process control. Our 5 MeV and 10 MeV beams allow us to handle a wide range of product geometries, wall thicknesses, and material types efficiently and repeatably.
Can Mercury help determine the right dose for my product?
Yes. Mercury’s technical team can perform dose mapping and validation testing to establish the appropriate e-beam parameters for your specific product type, packaging configuration, and microbial targets.
What is MeV?
MeV (mega-electronvolt) measures the energy of the electrons accelerated by the e-beam. Higher MeV values enable deeper penetration into thicker or denser materials. We maintain two beams (5 MeV and 10 MeV) that support a wide range of product geometries and throughputs.
Does e-beam processing leave residual radiation?
No. The process uses high-energy electrons to reduce microbial levels but leaves no residual radioactivity in the product.
Get Started with Mercury Plastics
Discover how Mercury Plastics can help you improve product performance, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market.
